The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has spent three years investigating whether better health is Britain’s greatest untapped route to prosperity.
Commenting on this in-depth evaluation, particular on educational aspects, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“When reading the report, I was reminded of the saying ‘Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose’. Meaning: the more things change, the more they stay the same.
“There have been huge education changes over the last few years. But the key things, promoted by the NEU have stayed the same, tackling growing hunger and poverty.
“Children’s worsening physical and mental health undermines school attendance, learning and exam results.
“Indeed, a lifelong impact on opportunity and aspiration. For years, this is why the NEU has been arguing for free school meals.
“This is why the Free School Meals tour van visited Parliament in July and on 24th September will visit the Liverpool Labour Party Conference.”
He goes on to add,
“IPPR analysis proposes:
- Universal free school meals with “a nutritional premium to boost” meal quality. Research shows the investment return is greater than the cost.
- Immediate abolition of the two-child limit, as there ‘are few better ways of reducing poverty’.
- Restart Sure Start, restoring funding and infrastructure to 2010 levels, as extensive evidence shows education and health benefits.
“Poverty and hunger have become the norm. Ever present and insufficiently addressed as a whole. Greater inequity damages all, eventually eroding social cohesion.
“Early intervention reaps robust rewards. Recent governments have ignored opportunities to act.
“Tinkering with education is not enough. Children need hot, healthy school meals to be creative, to learn and to grow.
“Government must tackle child poverty and hunger now.”
