Kids’ uniform aidgrantsare plummeting

GROCERY sales soared by 17 per cent in three months as Brits tucked in during the coronavirus lockdown – with classic snack Wagon Wheels up by nearly a third.

The biscuit, made in a factory in South Wales for the last 70 years, is doing so well manufacturers Burton Biscuits are releasing more flavours.

And Wagon Wheels aren’t the only biccie to roll off the shelves.

All those months of being stuck at home has seen biscuit sales rocket by £19million from March to mid-July, retail figures reveal.

And with all those extra treats being gobbled up, it’s no surprise tea and coffee sales have been boiling over, too.

We spent an extra £24million on the beverages while cafes were closed – with one of the biggest producers of tea in the UK, Yorkshire Tea, now making nine billion teabags a year.

Another typically British staple that’s doing sizzlingly well is the ever-reliable banger.

British sausage producer Heck has seen a hike in sales and is to use the extra cash to expand its

Traditional staples have seen their sales soar

HELICOPTER gunships open fire as Russia flexes its military might days after an MPs’ inquiry said Britain had “badly underestimated” the threat.

The Mil Mi-24P choppers were part of a training exercise to destroy an enemy force 100 miles from Moscow.

Also this week, President Putin raised fears of a space war by test-firing a weapon to knock out enemy satellites. factory in Bedale, North Yorkshire. Jamie Keeble, the brand’s co-founder, said: “The last few months have been an unprecedented time for food manufacturing.

“Our focus initially was on our team and community and helping where we could. “Then we looked at how we could respond to the new way of shopping and eating. “We believe this move will really futureproof the business for customers and our team alike.”

MEATY

Another meaty favourite which has seen a massive rise in sales is the world-famous Melton Mowbray pork pie.

Stephen Hallam, from makers Dickinson & Morris, said: “This Father’s Day our sales increased tenfold.

“It appears that due to the coronavirus our online sales have greatly increased as more and more people go online to get their food.”

The success stories of British food manufacturers is featured in documentary Inside Britain’s Food Factories, which is on ITV at 8.30pm on Thursdays.

THE number of families given money to help buy school uniforms has fallen by a third in five years.

In the last year, 20,965 grants were handed out by councils, down from 31,183 in 2015-16.

An inquiry by Lib Dem leadership hopeful Layla Moran shows just 21 of 120 councils plan grants in the coming school year.

She said: “These figures are a badge of shame on this Government.

“Struggling families will face an impossible choice between getting into debt or going without a new uniform for their child.”

Earlier this year MPs stopped parents being forced to shop at specific suppliers, to cut the average £340 cost of uniforms for secondaries and £255 for primaries.

TASTY