Commenting on new figures released yesterday (Wednesday) by the Trussell Trust, which show a record 3.1 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship in the 12 months up to March 2024, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“Millions of households are struggling to cover even the basics.
“Everyone should have enough to provide for their family and put food on the table. This includes those that received Trussell Trust food parcel support from the seven Island centres during this 12-month period. A total of 6,255 food parcels.
“This sustained poverty is clearly unacceptable. Too many politicians continue to claim things are getting better. Not for those Island children who received 2,495 of those food parcels.”
He went on to add
“This is why the district NEU will soon be asking everyone to sign a petition to introduce free school meals to every primary school pupil. It is planned to join the NEU handover in Westminster on 17th July.
“We will also be asking primary schools to support their pupils in writing to our MP about the advantages of eating a free school meal.
“Child hunger is impacting pupils’ ability to learn. It is putting increasing pressure on schools and their ability to educate. So much so, that it is starting to be called ‘the fourth emergency service’.
“We cannot carry on like this. Hunger devastates learning. We need an education system that works for all.”
