Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, shares this latest news, in his own words. Ed
As the worst cost of living crisis in a generation takes hold, MPs, mayors, unions, charities, faith leaders and medical bodies urge the Prime Minister to take action to ease the pressure for every family.
No Child Left Behind
On Thursday 22nd September an open letter was launched in the Mirror and has been organised by the National Education Union’s No Child Left Behind campaign.
It brings together a diverse group of signatories from all areas of society, who have banded together to call on the Government to extend Free School Meals to every child in primary school in England.
Why are children in England still waiting?
In England, for the first three years of school, every child gets a Free School Meal and no child wants for food while they are at school. This stops after Year 2.
In 2020, Scotland pledged to extend Free School Meals to every child in primary. In 2021, Wales promised families they’ll do the same. Why are children in England still waiting?
Shreeve: When children are hungry, they can’t learn
Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“Healthy meals are a vital part of school. They help children learn and succeed.
“In 2014, Government made school dinners free in England for children up to Year Two.
“Following Friday’s mini-budget, the Guardian wrote: ‘Almost two-thirds of the 2022-23 personal tax cut gains will go to the richest fifth of households’ with an extra £9,187 a year calculated to be gained by the richest households.
“We are asking for something that will cost far less and have far greater benefit. We’re simply asking that the Government extends Free School Meals to the remaining year groups in primary school.
“Teachers and support staff see the difference a healthy school dinner makes. When children are hungry, they can’t learn. Free School Meals for all means every child has a better chance of concentrating and reaching their full potential.”
Chiverton: The most serious attack on living standards for many decades
Mark Chiverton, Branch Secretary of the UNISON Isle of Wight Local Government Branch, said,
“The current cost of living crisis is the most serious attack on living standards for many decades, with huge numbers of people facing an erosion of living standards on a scale not seen for at least 50 years.
“More and more families are struggling to make ends meet and to afford enough food to adequately feed their children.”
Chiverton: Government prioritising tax cuts for the richest members of society
Mr Chiverton went on to say,
“Instead of tackling this appalling injustice, the Government is further exacerbating inequality by prioritising tax cuts for the richest members of society, including scrapping the cap on already huge bankers’ bonuses. These priorities need to be radically changed as a matter of urgency.
“As part of the growing campaign for economic justice, UNISON fully supports the call for an immediate extension of free school meals provision to every primary school child in England, to match what has already been agreed for children by the Governments of Scotland and Wales.
“Being properly fed is a crucial factor in enabling pupils to positively develop in terms of both their health and education and this important reform is already long overdue.”
