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More and more poor children are missing school since Covid. Here’s how to get them back in class
Martin Hodge

More and more poor children are missing school since Covid. Here’s how to get them back in class

A new report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) highlights how soaring rates of secondary school absence in England have led to disadvantaged pupils falling further behind their peers since the Covid-19 pandemic. Martin Hodge, head of education policy for Community trade union, outlines how the debate around what can be done to drive up attendance levels requires nuance and empathy

One in four teachers spending own money to feed hungry pupils as parents struggle with costs
Child poverty

One in four teachers spending own money to feed hungry pupils as parents struggle with costs

Backed by celebrities including Jamie Oliver, charities are calling for free school meals to be expanded to all primary school children

No recourse to public funds traps families like mine in poverty. It’s time the government ended it
Uche

No recourse to public funds traps families like mine in poverty. It’s time the government ended it

Uche, a mother of four, describes how ‘no recourse to public funds’ – which blocks people from accessing financial support or social housing if they are subject to immigration control in the UK – impacts her family

I live month to month, fighting to get out of debt – this is the reality of life on the breadline
Izzy

I live month to month, fighting to get out of debt – this is the reality of life on the breadline

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recalls receiving free school meals as a child: ‘I was lucky’
Free School Meals

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan recalls receiving free school meals as a child: ‘I was lucky’

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Inside the primary school ‘food shop’ ensuring children don’t go hungry over summer break
Food poverty

Inside the primary school ‘food shop’ ensuring children don’t go hungry over summer break

More than two thirds of teachers worry children will go hungry this summer: ‘Beyond heart-breaking’
Child poverty

More than two thirds of teachers worry children will go hungry this summer: ‘Beyond heart-breaking’

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the summer holidays?
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the summer holidays?

‘You can hear your stomach growling’: Kids call on next government to do more to end child poverty
General election 2024

‘You can hear your stomach growling’: Kids call on next government to do more to end child poverty

The Lib Dems don’t go far enough – we need free meals for all school children, campaigners say
General election 2024

The Lib Dems don’t go far enough – we need free meals for all school children, campaigners say

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here’s all you need to know
Free school meals

Free school meals: Who is eligible? And how do you apply? Here’s all you need to know

Sure Start centres helped poorer children do better at GCSEs – before being decimated by Tories
Education

Sure Start centres helped poorer children do better at GCSEs – before being decimated by Tories

‘You need food to survive’: London borough becomes first in country to give free school meals to all
Free school meals

‘You need food to survive’: London borough becomes first in country to give free school meals to all

Michael Gove couldn’t spend £1.9bn to tackle the housing crisis. So here’s 10 things the money could be spent on instead
Government spending

Michael Gove couldn’t spend £1.9bn to tackle the housing crisis. So here’s 10 things the money could be spent on instead

90,000 people sign open letter to Rishi Sunak demanding free school meals for all
Week of action

90,000 people sign open letter to Rishi Sunak demanding free school meals for all

Free school meals for all would generate billions for the economy. Here’s why
Week of action

Free school meals for all would generate billions for the economy. Here’s why

These countries offer free school meals for all – so why can’t the UK?
Week of action

These countries offer free school meals for all – so why can’t the UK?

Seven in 10 children in families on universal credit are not eligible for free school meals
Free school meals

Seven in 10 children in families on universal credit are not eligible for free school meals

Why MP Zarah Sultana is fighting for free school meals
Free school meals

Why MP Zarah Sultana is fighting for free school meals

Zayn Malik calls on Rishi Sunak to offer free school meals to all children in poverty
Free school meals

Zayn Malik calls on Rishi Sunak to offer free school meals to all children in poverty

Children are ‘eating rubbers and stealing food’ at school because they are hungry
Cost of living crisis

Children are ‘eating rubbers and stealing food’ at school because they are hungry

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Labour would bring in free breakfast clubs at every primary school in England
Childcare

Labour would bring in free breakfast clubs at every primary school in England

Free school meals pupils earn less than their peers – and the gap only widens as they get older
Free school meals

Free school meals pupils earn less than their peers – and the gap only widens as they get older

National food strategy won’t expand free school meals to another 1.1 million children, despite recommendations
Social Justice

National food strategy won’t expand free school meals to another 1.1 million children, despite recommendations

Families denied welfare due to immigration rules can now apply for free school meals
Free School Meals

Families denied welfare due to immigration rules can now apply for free school meals