Thousands of children going without free school meals

 AP

The Children's Society has warned that large numbers of children in poverty are missing out on free school meals.

The charity found that in 57 constituencies across England, more than six in 10 children in poverty were not getting a free school meal.

The constituencies of Horsham, and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton both had the highest proportion of children missing out on the free school meal at 69%.

They were followed closely by Mitcham and Morden, and Arundel and South Downs at 68%.  

Only 22 of England's 533 constituencies had fewer than 10% of children in poverty missing out on free school meals.

Children's Society warned that that once parents had paid for school meals, they were left struggling to provide other basic necessities for their children, like school shoes and home heating.

In a survey of teachers by the charity, nearly half said they often saw children going hungry in school.  Children's Society said the free school lunch could be the only proper meal in the day for a child of poverty.

It is calling on the government to make free school meals available to all children in poverty.

Matthew Reed, our Chief Executive, said: "It is shocking that huge numbers of children in poverty across the country are missing out on a free school meal. Every child in poverty should be entitled to this vital support.

"We know from the families we work with up and down the country that parents are struggling to make ends meet.

"Right now, the government is reconsidering which children will be entitled to get free school meals.

"We urge the government to take this opportunity to make sure all children in poverty can get a free school meal."

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.