UNISON has joined other education unions, this week, in calling
on the government to urgently expand the free school meals
programme to all families receiving universal credit or an
equivalent benefit.
A letter, signed by
representatives from 12 education unions and stakeholder groups –
including UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea, was sent to
the chancellor, and the secretary of state for
education, , on Tuesday.
It highlighted the profound benefits that free school meals
provide, to those who are entitled to them, in terms of
concentration, behaviour and academic performance in schools. But
it warned that, “the intensifying cost of living crisis means
many more are now struggling to afford school lunches.”
Citing the Food Foundation’s latest figures that 2.6 million
children live in households that missed meals or struggled to
access healthy food during April, the letter called on the
government to provide “a nutritional safety net that supports all
children to learn and achieve.”
As an interim step it suggested that the eligibility criteria of
the scheme be extended to all those families receiving universal
credit or an equivalent benefit.
However, it adds that “the clear solution to ensuring fairness
and equity across our schools is to extend universal provision,”
as has been committed to in Wales and Scotland.
Mike Short, UNISON’s national secretary for education, said: “As
the largest union representing school meals workers, UNISON
supports the campaign for universal free school meals.
“But given the cost of living crisis, we implore the Westminster
government to immediately expand the eligibility for free school
meals as an interim step.
“It is shocking that thousands of families are living below the
poverty line yet are currently ineligible. A move by the
government would provide a lifeline at this critical time.”
