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.’

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