There are 6000 children in poverty who are not eligible to receive free school meals in Hull & East Yorkshire, a Child Poverty Action Group report has found.
The report has found there are 70000 children in poverty in Yorkshire who are unable to receive free school meals, including 3000 in Hull and a further 3000 in East Riding.
For a child in year 3 or above to be eligible for free school meals they must have a household income below £7,400 after tax and excluding benefits.
The £7,400 figure has not been increased since 2018 despite high inflation rates.
Child Poverty Action Group’s head of education policy Kate Anstey said: “In every corner of Yorkshire and the Humber there are children going without the food they need because the qualifying criteria for free school meals is woefully inadequate and outdated. Children’s well-being is being compromised by a cruel means-test in the middle of the school day.
“With so many families counting every penny, local leaders must do what they can to expand access to free school meals but ultimately this is on the UK government. Ministers must reform the system and work towards eliminating means-testing in the dining hall so that every child has an equal chance to learn and thrive and struggling families get some desperately needed breathing space.”
Reacting to the report’s findings the leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross said: “Any child living in poverty is one child too many. Locally, we are doing all we can to support families, but, as this concerning report highlights, there are changes that need to be made at a national level too.
“Despite the challenges of the increase in the cost of living, the current eligibility criteria for Free School Meals have not changed since 2018. There has in Hull been an increase in the number of children receiving free school meals.”
Cllr Ross also called upon the government to follow the recommendation of the Government commissioned National Food Strategy to raise the £7,400 threshold to £20,000, allowing more children to receive free school meals.
East Riding Council have also reacted to the report’s findings. Cllr Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “Child poverty is an increasing concern both locally and nationally, and together with our partners we are working hard to support children, young people and families.
“Through the Help for Households scheme there is a range of support available to low-income families, including healthy start vouchers, clothing grants, support around heating homes and free activities for children.
“The council promotes the support available to families to ensure they are accessing all that they are entitled to, and provide tips, advice and information about ways to save money.
By Andrew Spence – LDRS
