School costs too high for poor families

Commenting on today’s publication of the report from the Department for Children, Schools and Families on ‘the cost of Schooling 2007’, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

"This thorough research shows school costs take far too big a bite out of the incomes of families who cannot afford it. This excludes the poorest children from many activities and leaves families struggling to pay for school uniforms, school trips, and school meals." Read full press release: 3 February 2009

All children should get free school meals

Following news that half of all pupils below the poverty line miss out on free school meals, Kate Green argues that all children should receive them:

"In a country that is intent on reducing child poverty and enhancing child wellbeing it is disgraceful that entitlement to free school meals is constrained by criteria that do not reflect the complexities of poverty and ignore high levels of in-work poverty." Read Kate Green's article in full on the Guardian website

Case for universal free school meals now clear

Responding to the positive evaluation of free school meals in Scotland and a commitment by the Scottish Government to implement universal free school meals for primary 1 to 3 pupils, Kate Green, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group said:

"The evidence base is now overwhelming. The English pilots recently announced by Ed Balls and Alan Johnson are welcome, but there is enough evidence already. Let’s give all children free healthy school meals now." Read full press release: 2 October 2008

£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