House of Commons · Westminster Hall
12 July 2022 · 1 other contributor · 987 words
Opened by Emma Lewell Lab South Shields
Responding minister: Not recorded
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Emma Lewell raised concerns about expanding free school meals for vulnerable families in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government should expand free school meal eligibility to all families receiving universal credit or equivalent benefits, which would cost an additional £550 million a year according to the Child Poverty Action Group. Furthermore, alongside that reform, they could introduce an automatic registration scheme for free school meals and move towards universal free school meals.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
There are nearly 4 million children in Britain living in poverty and over 800,000 missing out on free school meals. The North East Child Poverty Commission revealed that the north-east region now has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK with 38% of its children living in poverty. In South Shields alone, over 42% of children are living in poverty. Hungry children suffer developmental impairment and delayed motor skills, as well as psychological and emotional impacts.
He agreed with the lead MP's comments on the Government's abysmal record throughout the pandemic, mentioning the chaotic voucher scheme and inadequate food parcels provided during holidays. He highlighted that without crowdfunding and support from various groups, children would have gone without meals.