Surge in number of Fenland children claiming free school meals

Nearly 800 more children are claiming free school meals in Fenland than before the pandemic struck.

The shock rise is revealed in figures released by Cambridgeshire County Council following a request for information from the Citizen on the current situation with pupils in Fenland schools.

In January 2,722 children were eligible for a free school dinner - that's just slightly over 20 per cent of all pupils.

By July, four months after the start of lockdown, the figure had risen to 3,210 and this month the number is 3,503.

The revelation comes as the political row rumbles on over whether or not the Government should fund free meals for pupils during school holidays.

It also emphasises just how welcome the promises of help from local businesses has been for disadvantaged families this half-term.

Businesses across the district stepped up to offer meals for children who would normally enjoy a free school dinner, after the Government, including Fenland's MP Steve Barclay, voted against heeding a plea by premiership footballer Marcus Rashford and others to extend the free meals scheme through holidays.

Individuals also took to social media to offer food parcels to those in need with the promise of discretion to anyone taking up the offer.

Hazel Belchamber, assistant director of education capital and place and planning at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We understand that the times we are living in continue to be uncertain and challenging, alongside this many families are facing changes to their financial circumstances.

"Usually, we see a rise in free school meal applications during the summer period due to new pupils starting school and moving to the area.

"However, this year has seen a larger increase in applications and entitlement since March 2020, due to financial circumstances changing during the pandemic.

“We urge any family, who has experienced a significant change in their financial circumstances, to complete an online application to check their eligibility at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals”