Thousands of North-East children missing out on free school meals, charity warns (From The Northern Echo)
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Thousands of North-East children missing out on free school meals, charity warns
12:10am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News
By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter
MORE than 20,000 children living in poverty in the region are missing out on a free school meal, a charity claims.
According to the Children’s Society, 20 per cent of children in poverty in the North-East and North Yorkshire do not qualify for a free school dinner.
The charity says many low-income families are unable to get free school meals because their parents are working – even if they earn very little.
Matthew Reed, the Children’s Society chief executive, said: “It is shocking that huge numbers of children in poverty in the North-East are missing out on a free school meal. Every child in poverty should be entitled to this vital support.
“We know from the families we work with up and down the country that parents are struggling to make ends meet.
“Right now, the government is reconsidering which children will be entitled to get free school meals. We urge the Government to take this opportunity to make sure all children in poverty can get a free school meal.”
The charity, in collaboration with 38 Degrees, has gathered more than 90,000 signatures in support of the campaign.
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