Commenting on research by University College London: Covid crisis
reveals how schools are ‘propping up a failing welfare
state’, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of
the National Education Union, said:
“This research demonstrates the determination of schools to deal
with the effects of poverty in their classrooms. But schools
cannot act alone and urgent action to tackle the scourge of child
poverty is needed from the Government.
'We know that even before coronavirus, 4.3 million children and
young people were growing up trapped in poverty and this is only
going to be made worse as the pandemic continues to take its
toll. Covid-19 has exposed the endemic levels of poverty and
inequality in the UK.
'Through the NEU’s own research, we know the shocking levels of
poverty that education staff are witnessing daily. Members spoke
of families turning to schools or colleges for extra support
during lockdown for the provision of basic learning resources
such as pens, paper and books. Schools having to set up food
banks and teachers reporting they personally provide food
and snacks to their pupils to ensure they have eaten during the
school day have become part of everyday life in many
schools. It is completely unacceptable that children are
going hungry or don’t have basic supplies to access education.
'Adding to this, millions of families have now had a £20-a-week
cut to their Universal Credit. The impact that this cut will have
on rising rates of child poverty is a concern to staff in
education and those who lead schools. Independent analysis from
the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that it risks plunging
500,000 people into poverty, including 200,000 children. The
Chancellor needs to do the right thing and reinstate the £20 to
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit at the Autumn Budget and
ensure families on legacy benefits are included.
'It is vital that the Government takes urgent action to create
the conditions in which all children can thrive and learn and
ensure that no child is held back as a result of poverty.”
