These figures reveal that the Government’s plans to restrict free school meals will create a poverty trap - Rayner

Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on research by the Children’s Society and Child Poverty Action Group that around 280,000 families will be affected by the cliff-edge created by Government plans for free school meals and Universal Credit, said:

“These figures reveal that the Government’s plans to restrict free school meals will create a poverty trap, leaving hundreds of thousands of struggling parents worse off. 

“The Tories claimed that Universal Credit will make work pay but in fact it will leave over 150,000 families better off working less, and 125,000 who will lose out if they work more. Their policy will punish parents who work longer hours to earn more.  

“Tomorrow’s votes are a chance for MPs to stop this plan and stand up for the working parents who would lose out. I urge ministers to think again, and accept our motion to stop the new income threshold that will leave hundreds of thousands of families worse off.”

Ends

Editor’s Note:

1. 1.   Link to the Children’s Society and Child Poverty Action group research - https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/fsm-poverty-trap-tcs-cpag-20180312.pdf