"Jaw dropping" rise in children on free school meals in Cumbria

As families prepare to face an unprecedented cost of living crisis, “jaw dropping” new figures show eligibility for free meals soared by an astonishing 80% in just six years.

MP Tim Farron, Cumberland’s council leader and campaigners are among those calling on the Government to do more in response to statistics they say reflect the “stark reality” of growing hardship and poverty.

More than 16% of all state-funded pupils in Cumbria were eligible for free school meals in March, meaning more than 11,600 youngsters relied on their school to provide a meal a day.

That is up from 6,460 in 2015-16.

And N&S analysis of shocking Government figures found that nearly half of those studying at pupil referral units and more than a third of those at special schools were eligible.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said the rise in eligibility was alarming and a “clear sign that the cost of living crisis is very real.”

MP Tim Farron

He added: “Families are being plunged into real hardship, with many being forced to make choices between heating and eating.

“We desperately need the Government to go further and faster in supporting people through these deeply difficult times.”

More than 1.9 million children in England are now reliant on free school meals – more than a fifth of all state-funded pupils and an increase of more than 160,000 since just last year.

Cumberland Council’s leader, Mark Fryer, said his jaw “hit the floor” upon hearing the figures.

The Labour politician said: “This is worse than shocking, is this really where we are at?

“It’s astonishing to see this in the fifth largest economy in the world – so much for levelling up.

“The cracks are starting to appear in the very fabric of society and this is not something that just affects people on benefits, some of these children have both parents working.”

Cllr Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council

He added: “The cost-of-living crisis is striking at the very heart of society and it’s a national problem.

“Local government is fighting like mad to make an impact but the reality of this lies at the very heart of Government.”

Cumbria County Council’s cabinet has just approved £2m in additional funding to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, including £0.5m to provide free school meals during holidays.

The CEO of the Sutton Trust, which campaigns for equality in education, said free school meals were a lifeline to many families.

James Turner added: “These trends in families facing hardship will likely only be made worse by the current cost of living crisis.

 “It is vital that the schools serving these communities get the support they need to help these children’s social mobility prospects.”

“The government should also consider whether they are capturing all disadvantaged children who would benefit from FSM in the current eligibility criteria.”

The pandemic and changes in policy to allow pupils to maintain their claim if circumstances change have contributed to a national increase in free school meal eligibility since 2018, according to Government statisticians.  

A Government spokeswoman said: “We know millions of families are struggling with the rising cost of living, which is why we are providing over £37 billion to target those with the greatest need.”

She said Government-funded school breakfasts and holiday activities were also benefiting children.

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