1,800 Rotherham children 'need free school dinners'

THIRTY-six per cent of all the needy children in Rotherham are missing out on free school meals, according to new figures.

The Children’s Society says 1,800 Rotherham youngsters are missing out. Many families on low incomes are unable to get free school meals because their parents are earning, regardless of how little they earn.

Now Rotherham MP Sarah Champion is backing calls by the society for all children living in poverty to be given free school meals.

She said: “Making sure every child can get a decent meal in the middle of their school day is a basic essential.

“The majority of these children are from low income families who are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet in this flat-lining economy.

“This is why I am supporting this important campaign to change the situation locally and across the country.”

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