Government figures released earlier this month have shown that there has been an increase in children becoming eligible for free school meals across the whole of south east London.

At this current time, Greenwich has the highest number of pupils eligible for free school meals in the area, with 11,722 children or 26.1 per cent of students currently classified as eligible for the scheme.

This is more than a 50 per cent increase in pupils entitled to free school meals in Greenwich compared with figures from 2015/16.

Bromley has the lowest per cent of pupils on free school meals in the area with 15.8 per cent of the student population eligible for the scheme.

However, the Bromley borough has seen the sharpest rise in free school meals students with a huge 72.45 per cent increase in children becoming eligible since 2015/16.

 

Academic year 2021 - 2022 figures 
Greenwich 11,722 pupils are eligible for free school meals - 26.1 per cent
Bexley 7806 pupils are eligible for free school meals – 17.8 per cent 
Bromley 7874 pupils are eligible for free school meals – 15.8 per cent
Lewisham 9840 pupils are eligible for free school meals – 25.4 per cent 

Academic year 2015 - 2016 figures 
Greenwich 7754 pupils were eligible for free school meals - 18.5 per cent 
Bexley 4781 pupils were eligible for free school meals – 10.9 per cent 
Bromley 4566 pupils were eligible for free school meals – 9.2 per cent 
Lewisham 7804 were are eligible for free school meals  – 18.7 per cent

 

  • Greenwich has seen a 51.17 per cent increase in children becoming eligible for free school meals since 2016.
  • Bexley has seen a 63.27 per cent increase in children becoming eligible for free school meals since 2016.
  • Bromley has seen a 72.45 per cent increase in children becoming eligible for free school meals since 2016.
  • Lewisham has seen a 26.09 per cent increase in children becoming eligible for free school meals since 2016.

 

Councillor Matt Morrow, Greenwich council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Sadly it is clear that there are many families in Royal Greenwich that are understandably feeling the distressing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, on top of the fallout from the pandemic.

“We’re committed to tackling child food poverty, and we use the Household Support Grant to give cash payments to families who qualify for free school meals.

“This increased uptake and means cash goes directly into low-income communities where it is most needed.

“No parent or carer should have to stress about how they feed their child, or choose between feeding themselves or their kids.

“As the Government’s Free School Meal scheme doesn’t include half-term or school holidays, we fund our own Free Holiday Meal scheme, providing a free packed lunch to any child that needs one.

“There is nothing wrong with accessing support when you need it, and despite a decade Government cuts to services we’re proud to be providing fuss-free meals to any child that wants one outside of term time.

“We do this with no direct Government funding as it is the right thing to do for our children.

“Children on free school meals are also eligible for free summer holiday club places funded by the Department for Education.

Parents can soon sign up via royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holidayfoodandfun.”

The national figures show that 22.5 per cent of youngsters across England are currently eligible for free school meals, up from 20.8 per cent in 2021 and representing just under 1.9 million children.

Analysis by the Child Poverty Action Group revealed that one in three schoolchildren living in poverty in England were missing out on free school meals.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following: 

  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
  • Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

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