School dinners indicator

Once again the numbers of children eligible for free school meals has increased, with over 18% of nursery and primary school aged children and 15% of secondary school aged children now eligible. An article in Children and Young People Now quotes a representative from the NUT who noted that this is in part a result of budgetary provision but that it also could reflect the effects of recession. With the Child Poverty Act 2010 setting a target of 2020 to end child poverty in the UK, these figures offer another challenge to the government. Consultation on statutory guidance for local authorities and others (including SHAs and PCTs) under the Act was published in March.