Ellie Ames 29 June 2023

LGA: Extend food support to stop harm to children’s health

LGA: Extend food support to stop harm to children’s health  image
Image: Irina Wilhauk / Shutterstock.com.

Council chiefs have called for an extension of eligibility for free school meals and an increase in the value of the healthy start voucher scheme after a report found that the rising cost of food is causing children’s health to deteriorate.

A new report by the School And Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) found that two thirds of health practitioners surveyed said that children’s health had got worse over the past year because of hunger and poor nutrition.

Almost four fifths of the 313 health practitioners who took part in the poll said that they had encountered children’s teeth being damaged at a higher rate than usual.

The study also reported that children were putting on weight slower than expected, showing changes in behaviour, and experiencing more frequent mental health problems.

Cllr David Baines, vice-chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board, said the findings were ‘deeply concerning’.

He said: ‘Food inflation is at its highest for almost half a century and this is hitting the poorest households hardest. The near-£500 annual saving for a family for each child on free school meals can make all the difference, now more so than ever before.

‘While it is good that the Government is investing over £1bn in support for free school meals, it can go further to tackle this issue and extend eligibility for free school meals to ensure all children in poverty are entitled to at least one hot meal per day, including a review of the current income threshold of £7,400 per year.

‘As well as this, the value of the healthy start voucher scheme for families should be increased to keep pace with the rising cost of food. This will help to ensure that children can lead happy and healthy lives, regardless of their family income.’

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Temporary Accommodation Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
As with many other Boroughs in the capital, tackling homelessness is a high priority. The Temporary Accommodation Procurement Officer will be required to source new business to increase the supply of properties based on the demand by building relationship 90 Putney Bridge Road, Twickenham
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & Community

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner