MORE kids than ever before are relying on free school meals in order to be fed – and this could be one of the biggest warnings to the Government yet.

Amid the unbearable rise in the cost of living with fuel prices at all time high and countless stories of North East families fearing for their future, the latest figures on free school meals should act as a wake-up call.

Read more: North East kids on free school meals: Grave concerns raised by Teesside mum and MP

We surely cannot expect the adults of tomorrow to thrive and drive the North East if they are the first to fall victim to rising costs whose parents can barely scrape by.

In the last six years, those who are eligible for free school meals has soared by nearly two-thirds in the region alone and we already carry some of the highest rates in the UK for children who are eligible to claim.

Read more: How to apply for free school meals if you're in England

Perhaps now is time for the Government to set out exactly how it intends to bring these figures down and actually action a plan that will have lasting results. Our children deserve that, at least.

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054