One in four teachers hands out food to children due to welfare concerns – survey

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. FareShare, a charity which tackles hunger and food waste, is calling on the Government to act urgently so teachers are “not forced to fill the gap” to help hungry children. Our teachers should be teaching, not forced to fill the gap because the Government stands by and allows this to happen all the while food goes to waste on farms George Wright, chief executive of FareShare The cost-of-living crisis has forced many schools to move from providing breakfast clubs during term time to passing on food to parents via food banks, pantries and other support services, the charity said. “Our teachers should be teaching, not forced to fill the gap because the Government stands by and allows this to happen all the while food goes to waste on farms, food that could be going to the millions of children and families facing food insecurity.” Children who arrive at school hungry, cold or tired cannot focus properly on their learning and our members are increasingly having to go above and beyond to help struggling families by providing basic necessities James Bowen, school leaders’ union NAHT The charity is calling on the Government to provide a £25 million grant which would allow it to redistribute an extra 100 million meals to vulnerable families. “Targeted measures like extending free school meals to all pupils in households in receipt of universal credit would make a real difference, but the government also needs to provide more support for families beyond the school gates and address the root causes of shameful levels of child poverty.” Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools are “increasingly going above and beyond” to provide food, clothing and support to families most in need.