RESULTS achieved in key subjects by pupils on free school meals in Barnsley have fallen drastically, according to figures highlighted by Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock.

The figures, obtained from the government by the MP, show that since 2012, the percentage of students eligible for free school meals (FSM) achieving the expected grades at key stage two in English and Maths has substantially decreased.

In 2012, the proportion of pupils in Barnsley on FSM achieving a level four grade in English was 72 per cent, but this has fallen to just 50 per cent reaching the expected standard in 2017.

Similarly, the 56 per cent of FSM-eligible pupils achieving the expected grade in Maths in 2017 is considerably lower than the 73 per cent who did so in 2012.

She is blaming the government for the fall in standards as a result of consistent cuts to school budgets. “It’s absolutely vital children eligible for free school meals get the best start with a good education, but these figures show fewer of them are,” she said.

“With schools here in Barnsley already funded significantly less than other areas, savage cuts to budgets over the last seven years by this Tory government have had a devastating effect on teaching.

“With schools under-resourced and under strain, it’s the children in our community who need help most who are suffering from these brutal cuts.”