Children from Low-Income Families: Education Support — [Mr Philip Hollobone in the Chair]

Discussed the impact of the pandemic on children and highlighted the need for more support. Emphasised the importance of providing free school meals to all primary children, addressing broadband access issues, and supporting families through benefits like the Scottish child payment.

Ms Webbe highlighted the detrimental impact of poverty on children's education, noting that nearly half of children in her constituency suffer from poverty. She cited statistics showing 30% of children experiencing hunger and stress before school, with a survey indicating fatigue or poor concentration among students due to poverty. Ms Webbe also criticized the Government for cutting youth services by 73%, reducing school funding per pupil by 9%, closing numerous youth centres and libraries, and scrapping educational maintenance allowances.

Mr Shannon highlighted the importance of education for children from low-income families and praised initiatives such as free school meals and uniform grants. He mentioned that over 1.4 million children in England are eligible for FSMs, and noted efforts to address educational underachievement through projects like 'A Fair Start' in Northern Ireland, requiring an estimated £180 million over five years. Shannon also commended the work of local food banks and community groups in supporting struggling families during the pandemic.

The Government's cuts to school funding have exacerbated the educational attainment gap, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds being 28% less likely to leave school with five A* to C GCSE grades than their wealthier peers. The pandemic has widened this gap further, with learning loss disproportionately affecting those without adequate digital equipment or study space for remote learning. In Luton, the claimant count and proportion of children receiving free school meals have increased due to economic insecurity in industries like aviation and hospitality. Discussed the importance of oracy throughout education beyond just early years, citing a report by the all-party parliamentary group for oracy that outlines opportunities missed for clear oral communication in schools.

Children from low-income families face significant challenges in accessing quality education, leading to a cycle of disadvantage. Siobhain McDonagh highlights the importance of early intervention programmes and the need for additional resources to support these children. Ms McDonagh highlighted the challenges faced by children in low-income families due to repeated school closures during the pandemic, emphasising the critical need for digital devices and internet access. She noted that 385,500 pupils are currently isolating because of coronavirus, which is exacerbating the attainment gap. Additionally, she pointed out that Saint Mark's Primary School has children without necessary equipment to continue their education remotely during isolation. Ms McDonagh called for every child entitled to free school meals to have access to internet and a device at home. Asked the Minister to explain why children on free school meals leave school an average of 18 months behind their classmates, citing the issue of 200,000 children not meeting reading levels required when transferring to year 7 in September. She also questioned the necessity for a voucher meal scheme during previous pandemics.

She highlighted the impact of government neglect on children in her constituency, citing a 37% poverty rate among young people in Luton South and the increase in the attainment gap for disadvantaged children. She also criticised the reduction in pupil premium funding affecting over 100,000 children and causing schools to lose £90 million in funding. The MP emphasised the ongoing issues with digital access and food support during the pandemic, stressing that such problems disproportionately affect lower-income families. Challenged the Minister's claims about free school meals, stating that the Government was forced to extend them due to pressure from Marcus Rashford and Labour, not because of their own initiative.