ASCL comment on Sutton Trust research into growing number of hungry pupils

Responding to findings from the Sutton Trust that the number of pupils unable to afford lunch who aren’t eligible for free school meals has increased, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Nearly one third of children in the UK are living in poverty, a completely unacceptable figure for one of the world’s wealthiest economies. Schools see the impact of child poverty all the time and this dire situation has been made worse by the cost-of-living crisis. Poverty is hugely damaging to the wellbeing of the children affected and also affects their education as pupils who are cold and hungry are not in a fit state to learn.

“Schools desperately need the government to do more to help these young people and their families. Sustained long-term action and investment is required, but an important step that the government can and should take right now is to extend the eligibility of free school meals to all families in receipt of universal credit. As well as being a lifeline for families, there is evidence to suggest that good diet in childhood improves behaviour and academic attainment in school and boosts lifetime productivity.”