WARRINGTON South MP Sarah Hall has urged Ministers to remove “needless administrative barriers” that prevent eligible children from receiving free school meals.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, the first day back after summer recess, Ms Hall raised concerns that too many families in Warrington are missing out on support because the Government has created needless red tape that gets in the way of children receiving what they’re entitled to.
She called on the Government to strengthen data sharing between the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education and local authorities, so that children who qualify are automatically enrolled.
Automatic enrolment would mean that children eligible for free school meals are registered without parents having to apply directly. Government already holds the data needed to identify who qualifies, but without automatic enrolment, thousands of children across England go without the meals they are entitled to, and schools lose out on vital additional Pupil Premium funding linked to uptake.
Pupil Premium is funding given to schools to provide additional support for disadvantaged children. It is only awarded when a child is officially registered for free school meals and continues for six years, following the child through their education.
The Local Government Association has called for automatic enrolment, estimating that around 11% of eligible children currently miss out on free school meals. They argue that automatic registration would reduce administrative burdens for councils, free up resources, and ensure that no child goes without a nutritious meal they are entitled to.
Ms. Hall said: “No child should sit in a classroom hungry because of red tape. Right now, too many families in Warrington South face avoidable barriers, and that means children who should get support are missing out.
“A simple change to data sharing would guarantee every eligible child gets the meals they need, ease pressure on families already feeling the squeeze, and give schools confidence that pupils are ready to learn.
“I welcome the Minister’s commitment to look at this as part of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy, but warm words aren’t enough. I’ll keep pushing until every child who qualifies for free school meals actually receives them.”
