(Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op):...The final thing I want to
mention in terms of the financial implications that covid has for
schools is child poverty. Research by the Institute for Public
Policy Research suggests that covid threatens to push up to
another 200,000 more children into poverty by the end of the
year. That is on top of the 4.2 million children trapped in
poverty already. As unions such as the National Education
Union have highlighted, child poverty is already putting
pressure on school budgets, with schools funding extra breakfast
and holiday clubs, providing and washing children’s clothing, and
supplying children with essential equipment that they need to
learn.
I acknowledge the Government’s investment in digital equipment
and the expansion of free school meals to cover school holidays
at Easter and over the summer period but, given the expected rise
in unemployment and the associated rise in child poverty that I
fear is inevitable, it would be helpful if Ministers would
confirm whether similar free school meal provision can be made
this half term, and in the holidays at Christmas and next year,
particularly while the covid pandemic is still having an impact.
What further investment will Ministers make to tackle the digital
poverty that is likely to hold young people back if they still do
not have access to laptops, tablets or other such equipment? Will
Ministers consider providing free household internet access to
children and young people in households on universal credit?
I am grateful for helpful briefings from the National Association
of Head Teachers, NASUWT, the Local Government Association, the
National Education Union and, of course, schools
in my constituency, and my local authority. Schools face a
difficult financial challenge in the coming months, and none more
than those in my borough. Ministers need to extend funding to
cover covid costs and to recognise that sustained investment is
needed in areas of deprivation and special needs. Further
investment will be required in mental health services, and rising
child poverty will have a further significant impact on schools
and their finances...
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