£16,000 price tag for ‘free’ education disadvantages poorest children

The ‘School Sums Index’ compiled by Norwich Union, has found it now costs nearly £16,000 to put a child through school from 5 to 16 years old.

"Education in state schools has never been truly free, but the costs are getting out of hand and well beyond the budgets of the poorest families." Read full press release: 2 September 2008

Time has come for universal free school meals

“Where free school meals for all have been tried, they are a great success. Children who sit down every day to a good quality meal together are healthier, happier, learn better and socialise better.”

CPAG comments on proposals made to the Labour Party by trade unions to provide all primary school children with free school meals. Read full press release: 25 March 2008

Ending child poverty must be Britain’s top education policy

A cross party group of MPs has tabled a parliamentary motion supporting CPAG's 2 skint 4 school campaign and calling for greater recognition to be given to the impact of poverty on educational achievement. Read full article in CPAG Campaigns Newsletter No. 59 (153 KB pdf file)

Children’s charity calls for end to classroom divide

Child Poverty Action Group publishes a new report, 2 skint 4 school: time to end the classroom divide. The report finds that, not only does poverty have a profound and negative impact on child development and pre-school experiences, but the education system compounds inequality... read full press release: 17 March 2008

School years increase education attainment gap for poorest children

A new report by Child Poverty Action Group, Chicken and Egg: Child Poverty and Educational Inequality, shows that children in poverty fall further behind their peers at every stage of schooling... read full press release: 12 September 2007