Menu
19/04/2012
Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
A children’s charity has warned that plans to simplify the welfare system could result in thousands of England's poorest children missing out on free school meals.
The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
In a report, the Children's Society said ministers were considering an income cap for eligibility that could leave 120,000 families worse off.
However the government has said it is determined to ensure no needy child misses out.
The society has estimated that it would cost £500m to extend free school meals to all families on Universal Credit.
It said ministers were instead considering limiting it to households with earnings below a certain level, thought to be about £145 a week.
The charity said that would create a benefit cliff-edge that could see 120,000 families worse off if they worked longer or earned more.
"The government has an unique opportunity to extend free school meals to all low-income working families, so that no child living in poverty misses out,” Children's Society's campaign for childhood director, Elaine Hindal, has said.
"This would be in line with the government's aim to make work pay by paving the way for many families to return to employment and help lift them out of poverty."
(H)
The meals are linked to low-income benefits that are among those merging into a single Universal Credit in 2013.
In a report, the Children's Society said ministers were considering an income cap for eligibility that could leave 120,000 families worse off.
However the government has said it is determined to ensure no needy child misses out.
The society has estimated that it would cost £500m to extend free school meals to all families on Universal Credit.
It said ministers were instead considering limiting it to households with earnings below a certain level, thought to be about £145 a week.
The charity said that would create a benefit cliff-edge that could see 120,000 families worse off if they worked longer or earned more.
"The government has an unique opportunity to extend free school meals to all low-income working families, so that no child living in poverty misses out,” Children's Society's campaign for childhood director, Elaine Hindal, has said.
"This would be in line with the government's aim to make work pay by paving the way for many families to return to employment and help lift them out of poverty."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 November 2008
Free School Meals For Scottish Kids
The Scottish Parliament is expected to pass a Bill that will allow local authorities to supply free meals to primary school children. Councils will be able to provide dinners to kids during their first three years of education, in a scheme that could be rolled out by 2010.
Free School Meals For Scottish Kids
The Scottish Parliament is expected to pass a Bill that will allow local authorities to supply free meals to primary school children. Councils will be able to provide dinners to kids during their first three years of education, in a scheme that could be rolled out by 2010.
02 September 2014
Free School Meals For Infants
Every child in the first three years of school is now eligible for a free school meal. This follows an announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister last year to help every child from every background get the best possible start in life. The move means that 1.
Free School Meals For Infants
Every child in the first three years of school is now eligible for a free school meal. This follows an announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister last year to help every child from every background get the best possible start in life. The move means that 1.
27 July 2012
Free School Meals Shows Improvement In Diet
A report out today casts new light on the power of school meals to help children reach their potential. Research measuring the impact of offering free school meals to more children in specific areas of England found significant improvements in their attainment, as well as benefits for diet and take up of healthy school meals.
Free School Meals Shows Improvement In Diet
A report out today casts new light on the power of school meals to help children reach their potential. Research measuring the impact of offering free school meals to more children in specific areas of England found significant improvements in their attainment, as well as benefits for diet and take up of healthy school meals.
11 June 2012
Ministers Expand 'Troubled Families' Scheme
Ministers have announced an expansion to a programme to tackle the problems of "troubled families". As part of the scheme local authorities get financial incentives to tackle some of the 120,000 families said to cost the taxpayer £9bn every year. Ministers have said they want to turn around these families' lives by 2015.
Ministers Expand 'Troubled Families' Scheme
Ministers have announced an expansion to a programme to tackle the problems of "troubled families". As part of the scheme local authorities get financial incentives to tackle some of the 120,000 families said to cost the taxpayer £9bn every year. Ministers have said they want to turn around these families' lives by 2015.
20 March 2012
Badger Cull Scrapped
A controversial plan to cull badgers has been dropped by the Welsh government. The plan was hoped to wipe out bovine TB in cattle but environment minister John Griffiths said after carefully considering the scientific evidence he has instead opted to vaccinate the animals.
Badger Cull Scrapped
A controversial plan to cull badgers has been dropped by the Welsh government. The plan was hoped to wipe out bovine TB in cattle but environment minister John Griffiths said after carefully considering the scientific evidence he has instead opted to vaccinate the animals.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
