Free dinners rise as cash woes bite

THOUSANDS more children are eligible for free school dinners as they become the "innocent victims" of the recession.

They have qualified after their parents' income dropped below the £16,040 threshold for free meals.

Many of these families have been hit by redundancies, salary cuts, and short-time working.

They also include households which used to draw two wages, but now have just one breadwinner.

Latest figures show 824 more pupils are eligible for free school meals in Stoke-on-Trent, after the total jumped from 8,604 in December 2008 to 9,428 at the end of December.

In Staffordshire, 12,456 now qualify, compared with 10,669 a year ago.

The figures have been revealed as Britain moves out of recession, despite the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) across North Staffordshire jumping by almost 5,000 to 15,011 in 12 months.

To apply for free school meals claimants must also receive benefits such as income support or JSA.

Simon Harris, below, chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent Citizens' Advice Bureau, said: "It's easy to forget that many families affected by the recession have children. They're the innocent victims.

"It's good people have identified the help they can get and are claiming it.

"It means at least their children will be getting a hot lunch. But some families may still be missing out, because they aren't claiming the benefits that are the passport to help."

Schools are also experiencing greater challenges because poverty is one of the most powerful factors affecting a child's chances of academic success.

Nicky Featherstone, acting deputy head of Staffordshire's school improvement division, said: "If there's a lack of money coming in to a household, it can lead to tensions and parents not taking the same interest in their child's education.

"It's because they have other things on their mind, not because they're being neglectful."

Robert and Suzanne Williams, of Halton Green, Blurton, are claiming free dinners for their children, aged 12, five, and four, because they are both out of work.

Mr Williams, who was self-employed, said: "Businesses were tightening their belts so I couldn't earn enough to stay in work. My wife wasn't working, so it hit us particularly badly.

"It's had a massive impact on our lives. We can't take the kids out as much as we used to or treat them. We used to have two cars, but now only have one. It's also put a lot more stress on our relationship."

Single mother-of-six Kelly Rigby says free dinners for her children. Four of them, aged three, four, seven and 10, attend Sutherland Primary School, while the other two, aged 14 and 15, are at Blurton High.

The 34-year-old, of Blurton, said: "I worked until I had my first child and now I'm doing training so I can get a job.

"I claim free school dinners, but you still have to pay for school trips and stuff."