Latest editorial
Protestors hang up paper plates carrying slogans calling for the government to extend free school meals provision, outside the Department for Education, in Westminster, London, in October 2020
TORY ministers must urgently provide free school meals for all children in families on universal credit amid the cost-of-living crisis, teaching unions demanded today.
Vulnerable young people who do not have access to enough nutritious food face a “real barrier to learning,” they said.
Scotland and Wales recently committed to rolling out free school meals to all state school primary pupils, but in England only those up to year two are automatically entitled to the vital support during term time.
With 170,000 children living in poverty in north-east England and teachers leaving in droves over 20 per cent real-terms pay cuts since 2010, all while private companies siphon off billions, it is time to unite and fight for education, writes MATT WRACK