Calls for more support for kids on free school meals in Tring & Berkhamsted
Dacorum Borough Council are discussing the issue tonight.
The rising number of kids on free school meals in Tring and Berkhamsted are being backed by the council.
Dacorum Borough are looking at the issue tonight, looking at asking the government to boost voucher values for those from families on low incomes.
They also want more children to be eligible for help, especially during holidays and lockdowns.
Looking at a national problem
The problems around free school meals and worries that children will go hungry have been given a lot of coverage in recent months, mostly down to footballer Marcus Rashford's campaigning.
This led to more support for families over the summer and then October half term.
Dacorum's report says that "numbers of pupils entitled to Free School Meals are rising fast" and "that every child who is entitled to Free School Meals is a sign of a family under significant financial pressure."
The worry is that this second lockdown will lead to more families needing this support.
The Council's set to call for every child whose family is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent to be eligible for free school meals and then vouchers during holidays.
Voucher values should also be increased, the report says.
If the motion is passed tonight, then the council will write to the Education Secretary and Chancellor.