The cost-of-living crisis is forcing school support staff to use their own money to help pay for pupils’ food and clothing, union reveals.
A Unison survey of more than 13,000 school workers, including teaching assistants, caterers, and cleaners, has found that over a third (36%) had helped struggling pupils with food or packed lunches.
The union also learnt that 34% had supported students with uniform and one in five (22%) had helped with books and stationery.
Almost all the school employees (96%) surveyed also said they fear their pay isn’t enough to cover their own spiralling bills.
One in seven (14%) have used food banks in the past year, and more than two-fifths (45%) say they’ve had to borrow money.
Unison head of education Mike Short said: ‘Even though school staff are not well-off themselves, they’re still doing what they can for their pupils. Their generosity and dedication are to be applauded, but it is truly shocking that employees struggling to make ends meet are having to bail out less fortunate families.’
