MORE Oxfordshire pupils are receiving free school meals than ever before as campaigners argue the Government should widen the eligibility criteria amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

Department for Education figures show 13,879 children in Oxfordshire were eligible for free school meals in January – 14 per cent of all state school pupils in the area.

This was up from 12.7 per cent the year before, and the highest proportion since comparable records began in 2015-16.

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In state funded special schools, the rate was 38 per cent in 2021-22 – the highest of all types of state education which had at least 100 pupils.

This was compared to 1.3 per cent in nursery schools.

Across England, 22.5 per cent of pupils (around 1.9 million children) are currently eligible for free school meals – up from 20.8 per cent, and also a record high.

The Association of School and College Leaders said it is "shocking" that one of the world's wealthiest economies saw such a steep rise in the number of youngsters on free school meals this year.

Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the ASCL, added: “Even more shocking is the fact that current eligibility does not even capture all the children who need help.

"Free school meal eligibility now applies to 22.5 per cent of pupils, but we know that the level of child poverty is about 30 per cent."

New research conducted by Loughborough University on behalf of the End Child Poverty Coalition reveals 29 per cent of English children were living in relative poverty in 2020-21, though this was down from 30 per cent the year before and first fall in a decade.

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The ECPC said it is likely due to Government measures during the pandemic, such as temporarily increasing universal credit by £20 a week.

The DfE figures also show that white pupils with Traveller of Irish heritage ethnicity were the most likely to get free school meals across England – 63% of all of those in state schools.

In Oxfordshire, the highest rates were among children of white Traveller of Irish heritage ethnicity – 76.3 per cent.

Ethnicities with fewer than 100 pupils have been removed.

In a debate in Parliament on Tuesday (July 12), Labour called for the scheme to be extended to all children in families receiving Universal Credit or equivalent benefits.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi

 

Labour's shadow schools minister Stephen Morgan said the cost-of-living crisis was being worsened by "chaotic Conservative government".

A Government spokeswoman said it is providing more than £37 billion to help families with rising costs, and will continue to keep eligibility under review.