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Anne Longfield Calls for Greater Investment to Tackle Child Poverty
In a recent report from the Centre for Young Lives think tank, Anne Longfield emphasized the urgent need for schools to move away from temporary solutions and invest more in addressing child poverty. The report, conducted in partnership with the Child of the North, outlines key recommendations aimed at reducing the impact of poverty on millions of children.
Universal Free School Meals
One of the key recommendations in the report is the implementation of universal free school meals (FSM) targeted at schools in boroughs and wards with the most disadvantaged populations. Currently, children in state schools in England are only entitled to FSM if their parent or carer receives certain benefits.
The report advocates for “targeted proportionate universalism” to help uplift communities facing deep-rooted poverty. It suggests that councils should use existing data to identify schools serving children in the greatest need and gradually expand universal free school meals to all schools.
Extending Free School Meals Eligibility
The report also calls for the expansion of FSM eligibility to include all families receiving Universal Credit (UC). It recommends automatic registration of eligible families for FSM to ensure that no child goes without a nutritious meal at school.
Currently, nearly one in four pupils in state schools in England are eligible for FSM, highlighting the scale of child poverty in the country.
Impact on School Attendance
Data from the Connected Bradford project revealed that children eligible for FSM were more likely to be persistently absent from school, emphasizing the link between poverty and educational outcomes. Anne Longfield stressed that schools need adequate resources to address these challenges effectively.
Government Response
In response to the report, a Government spokesperson highlighted the efforts made to extend eligibility for free school meals to more children and provide support for vulnerable households. However, the report underscores the need for sustained investment in tackling child poverty as an integral part of educational provision.
Overall, the report calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing child poverty, starting with targeted interventions in the most disadvantaged areas and gradually expanding support across all schools.
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