BPS joins call for urgent review of free school meals policy to end child food poverty
The BPS has signed a letter to the Prime Minister and Education Secretary calling for an urgent review of the free school meals policy.
15 January 2021
We've joined forces with the Food Foundation and more than 40 other NGOs and health organisations to back the letter, led by Marcus Rashford MBE and a number of high-profile chefs.
The letter urges the Prime Minister to undertake an urgent comprehensive review of the free school meal policy, and to reform the system for the longer term and provide recommendations for the next spending review.
Diane Ashby, BPS Change Programme Director, said:
"We fully support this call for an urgent review into the free school meals policy.
We have seen over the last few months how the pandemic has disproportionately hit the most vulnerable children and families in our society, and free school meals are part of a vital safety net that protects children and families from malnutrition.
We know that for children to develop well physically and psychologically, their basic needs have to be met first, and this includes access to good quality, nutritious food.
We believe every child has the right to the best start in life, and we've frequently highlighted this as part of our Poverty to Flourishing campaign.
Together with this coalition we urge the prime minister to show leadership on this issue."