AN MP has joined calls for the government to protect free school meals for children affected by the rolling out of Universal Credit.
Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley East, said currently all children who live in a household receiving the benefit will receive a free school meal, but under new proposals this will change from April when a earnings threshold of £7,400 is introduced.
Analysis by The Children’s Society shows the proposals mean 3,352 children in Barnsley living in poverty could miss out on the benefits of a free school meal.
Stephanie said: “Free school meals have a proven beneficial impact on a child’s education and health, and can do much do alleviate persistent child poverty in our society.
“That is why the current proposals on the future of free school meals under Universal Credit are deeply concerning, and risk forcing vulnerable children to go hungry at school.
“These changes will affect many local families and children, including some of the most the vulnerable in our community, and shows how out of touch this Tory Government in tackling poverty in Barnsley.”
