More than a million of the nation’s poorest children face going hungry if coronavirus forces schools to shut, charities warn today.
Eighteen groups today united to plead for government cash to ensure poor families can feed kids who usually benefit from free school meals.
They want the government to provide a system “cash transfers”, rather than vouchers or other measures, to ensure kids are properly fed.
They are also asking that provisions be put in place in order to ensure children in migrant families, including those who have “No Recourse to Public Funds,” are able to access these emergency funds.
Around 1.5 million children eligible for free school meals could be affected – and the charities said there are more families living with food insecurity.
Sustain, the Food Foundation, Church Action on Poverty, Magic Breakfast, Soil Association, the Independent Food Aid Network and other charities wrote to a quartet of Cabinet Ministers demanding reassurances.
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Sustain chief executive Kath Dalmeny said: “About 1.5 million children across the UK are currently eligible for free school meals due to families living on a very low income.
“If schools shut to prevent the spread of coronavirus, their families will struggle to be able to afford to feed their children at home, and will not be able to stockpile food supplies if they are self-isolating.
“Food banks are already at more than full stretch so cannot be expected to meet increased need.
“The Government must immediately make it clear how they will help the poorest families by making sufficient emergency funds readily available for people to be able to buy food if the impacts of Coronavirus disrupt food supplies and increase prices.”
The groups have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick seeking clarification on measures to feed children.
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Despite many countries including Ireland shutting schools, the UK has refused to follow suit – with Boris Johnson claiming it could do “more harm than good” because of people’s knock-on behaviour.
Instead schools are currently only being told to shut if they are specifically instructed to by Public Health England.
People on Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 a year can apply for free school meals for their junior school children.
So can those on child tax credit with a gross income over £16,190, or Income Support or income-based jobseekers’ allowance.
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Infant school children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive universal free school meals.
Campaigners regularly warn of food poverty in the summer holidays, with the Trussell Trust foodbank charity saying it sees a summer surge in demand.
Campaigners estimate the extra cost of supporting a child who is not at school at £30 to £40 per week.
Sabine Goodwin, co-ordinator of the Independent Food Aid Network, said: “Food aid providers run precarious operations largely dependent on often retirement age volunteers and food donations.
“Their capacity could be severely impacted by the spread of coronavirus, with the likelihood of staff shortages, drops in donations and venue closures.
“Our members are already reporting fewer donations, not being able to purchase essential items because of panic-buying as well as rationing to prepare for what lies ahead.
“This crisis shines a spotlight on the fragility of the incredible organisations supporting those on low or no income and above all on the need for long-term systemic change.”
