The Guardian view on child poverty: free school meals are a help, but not a panacea | Editorial
Briefly

Ellen Wilkinson’s historic introduction of free school meals in 1946 paved the way for current policies aimed at reducing child poverty. The recent change in England, extending free school meals to families receiving universal credit, is a significant step toward ensuring children’s basic needs are met. This initiative is crucial, as adequate nutrition directly impacts learning. With Scotland and Northern Ireland leading in generosity of their school meal policies, this new move in England is a welcome response amid growing concerns over child hunger, though financial sustainability remains a key challenge.
Ellen Wilkinson’s introduction of free school meals in 1946 laid foundational principles that remain relevant today in tackling child poverty in England.
The recent extension of free school meals to families claiming universal credit reflects the government’s attempt to address the hunger crisis affecting children.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have implemented more generous rules regarding school meals, contrasting England’s recent changes which aim to support more families.
The commitment to ensure children have access to a hot lunch emphasizes that effective learning is rooted in addressing basic needs such as nutrition.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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