Latest news with #Children'sWellbeingandSchoolsBill
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
16 per cent of pupils have skipped school after being 'priced out the system'
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are being forced to skip school because their parents cannot afford meals, uniforms and trips, according to a new study. The survey, which was commissioned by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), found that 16% of children of secondary school age have skipped a day of school because they did not have something they needed. This figure increased to 26% for children eligible for free school meals. The Government has been urged to expand the free school meals scheme across England (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire) The charity is calling for the Government to expand the free school meals scheme to more families across England. The poll of some 1700 school children between the ages of 11 and 18 found that 47% of those who missed days of school did so because they did not have the right uniform. It was also found that 26% had missed school because they did not have enough money to attend school trips. A member of staff at a secondary school in Scotland told researchers: 'We sometimes receive calls to the school to say a certain pupil can't come in today because they maybe only have one uniform and that's in the washing and it's not dry, so they'll be off today.' A secondary school pupil in England said: 'I miss (out on) enrichment week and trips, it's too much (money).' The issue was highlighted by teachers and students (Image: PA) Sainsbury's set to axe three key services in UK stores 'by early summer' UK facing youth unemployment crisis as young people not prepared for work Asda urgently recalls item in which a child could become 'tangled or trapped in' Kate Anstey, head of education at CPAG, said: 'Children in poverty aren't getting the real deal at school because they don't have money to participate – or even get to the school gates. 'From not being able to afford meals or uniform to poor mental health, lack of money at home means young people are missing school – effectively priced out of the system. 'Government must do more to support living standards for families so kids aren't locked out of learning – including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding eligibility for free school meals.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to reduce child poverty through wide-ranging action as part of our Child Poverty Taskforce, breaking the unfair link between background and opportunity. 'This Government has inherited a system with baked-in inequalities, which we're tackling head-on through our Plan for Change by rolling out free breakfast clubs in every primary, providing mental health support in every school, and investing over £3 billion in Pupil Premium to support those children who need it most. 'Through our Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are also changing the law to limit the number of branded items schools can require, which alongside free breakfast clubs could put £500 a year back into working parents' pockets.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thousands to get universal school uniform grant
About 7,000 families in east London are set to benefit from a council's universal school uniform grant. The £150 will be available to children who are entering their first year of primary or secondary school, if their families have a household income of £50,350 or less. Lutfur Rahman, mayor of Tower Hamlets, said it would "go some way" to support children in the borough, while Mohi, a local parent, said school uniform costs were a "matter of worry" for himself and his family. It comes as the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill looks to limit the number of branded uniform items a school can require, to ease the financial burden on parents. "I'm working in a solicitor's, but you know, day by day our costs and expenses are really high," Mohi said. "As a parent, we always think ahead. So [uniforms] is something that is a matter of worry for me and my family." The head of London Enterprise Academy said its school uniform costs were more than £200, but that they supplied some items to students free of charge. "I realise it's a very expensive time in August for parents, so as a school, since we opened, we subsidised the uniform," its principal Ashid Ali said. "All of our students will get a free PE kit when they join our school, and when they move to Year 10, we have always provided free blazers, as the children are growing up." Suraia, a student at the school, said when pupils felt "inferior" to their peers because of their clothing, it affected "literally everything", including their education. Tower Hamlets Council announced the school universal uniform grant earlier this year. Mr Rahman said: "It will go some way in supporting our youngsters at primary school and when they go into secondary school. "Giving them some financial help, some 7,000 children in a year will be supported." The City of London offers grants to families that earn under £7,400 or are on benefits, while Westminster City Council provides a grant to families eligible for free school meals. Wandsworth Council offered a voucher scheme. To try to reduce costs for everyone, the government is proposing a limit of three branded uniform items at primary school and four at secondary. "This means, for the first time, no school in England will be able to require unnecessarily large numbers of branded items, so no parent will be unfairly disadvantaged," a spokesperson for the Department for Education said. Watch the full Politics London programme on BBC iPlayer. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Branded school uniforms to change for four million pupils under plans 'Parents forgo holidays over school uniform costs' Tower Hamlets Council
Powys County Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Ministers delay flagship child poverty plan until the autumn
Ministers have delayed a flagship plan aimed at driving down child poverty until the autumn. The child poverty strategy, originally due to be published this spring, was expected to include a recommendation to scrap the two-child benefit cap. But the plan has now been pushed back until the autumn, the PA news agency understands, in order to align it with the next budget. Worries about the cost of the project and its political benefit are said to be key concerns for figures at the heart of the Government, according to the Guardian newspaper which first reported the story. The two-child benefit cap was introduced when the Conservatives were in power, and restricts parents from claiming certain benefits for more than two of their children. Its critics say scrapping the cap would be the most effective way of reducing child poverty across the UK. According to the Guardian, experts have warned some 100 children are pulled into poverty every day by the limit, meaning up to 20,000 could be impacted by a six-month delay. Some within Government are concerned that delaying any action on the cap beyond the autumn will mean the impact of scrapping it would not be felt before the next general election, the newspaper said. Labour backbenchers have been urging ministers to scrap the cap over recent months, amid a brewing rebellion against wider welfare reforms. When asked about whether the Government is considering scrapping the cap, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has not ruled it out, but insisted there is no single 'silver bullet' to tackling child poverty. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said the strategy would be 'published later this year', but emphasised the Government was taking a 'comprehensive approach' to child poverty, including rolling out free breakfast clubs, increasing the number of affordable homes, and making moves to drive down household bills. Lord John Bird, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of the Big Issue, criticised news of the delay and said the Government had 'just kicked the issue of child poverty into the long grass'. He added: 'The impact of their inaction will be grave. It is shameful that child poverty is forecast to not fall, but rise significantly, to 31.5% of children under this Labour government. 'We need action now, not in six months or a year's time. I will relentlessly pursue my intervention of adding child poverty targets to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill with the vigour that the 4.3 million children living in poverty in our country deserve.' Meanwhile, Dan Paskins, executive director of policy, advocacy and campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: 'Every month that goes by while Keir Starmer does not scrap the cruel two-child limit means thousands of children are plunged into poverty. 'We would like to see assurance from Number 10 that this delay means their child poverty strategy contains bold ideas backed with the finance – starting with scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap.' Elsewhere, Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at the Trussell Trust, suggested delaying the strategy could benefit the people it is designed to help. Writing on social media site X, she said 'better a delayed child poverty strategy with measures to really protect children from hunger and hardship' than 'one hitting the deadline but falling short on substance'.
South Wales Guardian
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Ministers delay flagship child poverty plan until the autumn
The child poverty strategy, originally due to be published this spring, was expected to include a recommendation to scrap the two-child benefit cap. But the plan has now been pushed back until the autumn, the PA news agency understands, in order to align it with the next budget. Worries about the cost of the project and its political benefit are said to be key concerns for figures at the heart of the Government, according to the Guardian newspaper which first reported the story. The two-child benefit cap was introduced when the Conservatives were in power, and restricts parents from claiming certain benefits for more than two of their children. Its critics say scrapping the cap would be the most effective way of reducing child poverty across the UK. According to the Guardian, experts have warned some 100 children are pulled into poverty every day by the limit, meaning up to 20,000 could be impacted by a six-month delay. Some within Government are concerned that delaying any action on the cap beyond the autumn will mean the impact of scrapping it would not be felt before the next general election, the newspaper said. Labour backbenchers have been urging ministers to scrap the cap over recent months, amid a brewing rebellion against wider welfare reforms. When asked about whether the Government is considering scrapping the cap, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has not ruled it out, but insisted there is no single 'silver bullet' to tackling child poverty. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said the strategy would be 'published later this year', but emphasised the Government was taking a 'comprehensive approach' to child poverty, including rolling out free breakfast clubs, increasing the number of affordable homes, and making moves to drive down household bills. Lord John Bird, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of the Big Issue, criticised news of the delay and said the Government had 'just kicked the issue of child poverty into the long grass'. He added: 'The impact of their inaction will be grave. It is shameful that child poverty is forecast to not fall, but rise significantly, to 31.5% of children under this Labour government. 'We need action now, not in six months or a year's time. I will relentlessly pursue my intervention of adding child poverty targets to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill with the vigour that the 4.3 million children living in poverty in our country deserve.' Meanwhile, Dan Paskins, executive director of policy, advocacy and campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: 'Every month that goes by while Keir Starmer does not scrap the cruel two-child limit means thousands of children are plunged into poverty. 'We would like to see assurance from Number 10 that this delay means their child poverty strategy contains bold ideas backed with the finance – starting with scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap.' Elsewhere, Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at the Trussell Trust, suggested delaying the strategy could benefit the people it is designed to help. Writing on social media site X, she said 'better a delayed child poverty strategy with measures to really protect children from hunger and hardship' than 'one hitting the deadline but falling short on substance'.
The Herald Scotland
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ministers delay flagship child poverty plan until the autumn
But the plan has now been pushed back until the autumn, the PA news agency understands, in order to align it with the next budget. Worries about the cost of the project and its political benefit are said to be key concerns for figures at the heart of the Government, according to the Guardian newspaper which first reported the story. The two-child benefit cap was introduced when the Conservatives were in power, and restricts parents from claiming certain benefits for more than two of their children. Its critics say scrapping the cap would be the most effective way of reducing child poverty across the UK. According to the Guardian, experts have warned some 100 children are pulled into poverty every day by the limit, meaning up to 20,000 could be impacted by a six-month delay. Some within Government are concerned that delaying any action on the cap beyond the autumn will mean the impact of scrapping it would not be felt before the next general election, the newspaper said. Labour backbenchers have been urging ministers to scrap the cap over recent months, amid a brewing rebellion against wider welfare reforms. When asked about whether the Government is considering scrapping the cap, the Prime Minister's official spokesman has not ruled it out, but insisted there is no single 'silver bullet' to tackling child poverty. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said the strategy would be 'published later this year', but emphasised the Government was taking a 'comprehensive approach' to child poverty, including rolling out free breakfast clubs, increasing the number of affordable homes, and making moves to drive down household bills. Lord John Bird, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of the Big Issue, criticised news of the delay and said the Government had 'just kicked the issue of child poverty into the long grass'. He added: 'The impact of their inaction will be grave. It is shameful that child poverty is forecast to not fall, but rise significantly, to 31.5% of children under this Labour government. 'We need action now, not in six months or a year's time. I will relentlessly pursue my intervention of adding child poverty targets to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill with the vigour that the 4.3 million children living in poverty in our country deserve.' Meanwhile, Dan Paskins, executive director of policy, advocacy and campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: 'Every month that goes by while Keir Starmer does not scrap the cruel two-child limit means thousands of children are plunged into poverty. 'We would like to see assurance from Number 10 that this delay means their child poverty strategy contains bold ideas backed with the finance – starting with scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap.' Elsewhere, Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at the Trussell Trust, suggested delaying the strategy could benefit the people it is designed to help. Writing on social media site X, she said 'better a delayed child poverty strategy with measures to really protect children from hunger and hardship' than 'one hitting the deadline but falling short on substance'.
