'Free school meals for all' national van tour arrives in Sunderland
They are calling on government to ensure every child has the basics to learn, thrive and go on to a bright future.
The National Education Union is calling for an extension of Free School Meals to every primary school child in England.
They are doing a national van tour and stopping off at various schools across the country, including Lambton primary school in Sunderland.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union and former North Tyneside primary school teacher, said: “One in five schools in England now report running foodbanks. Our school communities are doing all they can but a crisis of this scale requires government intervention. We’re asking this parliament to commit to ending child hunger in our schools so every child can learn and thrive”.
The tour is part of the 'No Child Left Behind' campaign run by the National Education Union (NEU) and supported by 300+ civil society groups and leaders. It is promoting the benefits of hot, healthy school dinners to ensure no child goes hungry in school.
Whilst national rates of child poverty stand at 30% of all children, a recent report has found that more than a third of all babies, children and young people in the North East of England are growing up in poverty.
Sharon Hodgson MP, said: “When I was a new MP, I was invited to visit Sweden to experience the impact that universal school food makes for children and families’ lives. I saw hot, healthy and colourful dinner plates. Happy and energised children. Parents and carers feeling supported. I want nothing less for the children and families in England. That’s why I will keep advocating for our Labour Government to adopt Free School Meals for All as policy. If countries like Sweden, India, and, closer to home, Wales can get this done, then it’s past time we deliver the same for primary school children in England.”
They believe that expanding free school meal provision to all children in primary schools would lift the pressure on thousands of families in the North East and across the country, helping children get the nutrition they need to thrive in school.
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East Combined Authority, said: "Too many children in the North East and across the country are going through the day without the food and essentials they need. That's simply unacceptable and free school meals are a crucial part of the fight against poverty. As Mayor I'm determined to tackle child poverty so we can make our region the home of real opportunity, and reverse the damage caused to families by 14 years of the last government. From the school gates to the workplace, I'll use all the powers at my disposal and work with schools, trade unions and the government so children are not held back by poverty and can fulfil their potential."