Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“School leaders already see far too many children arrive at school hungry and unable to learn, and that is only likely to get worse with the impact of Coronavirus on family finances.

“Free school meals at least guarantee that children going hungry at home get one nutritious meal a day during term time, which can be vital for their wellbeing and education.

“We have to do all that we can to extend the free school meals entitlement to every child going hungry.

“Currently one in ten eligible children miss out on their free school meals entitlement. NAHT has long called for children to be automatically enrolled to receive free school meals, using the information councils already hold about their family situation.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk