Hungry School Children

School staff are buying food and bringing it in to feed pupils who would otherwise go hungry, according to research by GMB union. 

Almost one in ten teaching assistants and support staff feel they have to spend their own cash on food for pupils who do not get enough to eat at home.  Children are coming to school without having eaten breakfast – or with no money for food at break times, school staff say. 

In the summer, a survey from GMB found that more than half of school support staff said they were spending their own money on basic essentials for children – including tampons, pens and books.

Karen Leonard, GMB national officer, said: “Hungry children cannot learn effectively. Conservative cuts to education are endangering the future of an entire generation of young people. Meanwhile, dedicated staff are left out of pocket because they refuse to allow kids to go hungry. It’s a scandal – and only properly funding our schools can give our kids the education they deserve.”