AT LEAST two in five children living under the poverty line were not eligible for free school meals before the pandemic hit, new analysis from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) shows.

The figure accounts for 1.3 million children in families in low-paid work across Britain but who do not qualify because of stringent eligibility criteria. 

CPAG estimates that another 100,000 schoolchildren across Britain, who are not covered by universal infant free school meals, are in families with no recourse to public funds because of their immigration status. 

Many of these children will be living well below the poverty line but are not usually eligible for means-tested free school meals. 

CPAG chief executive Alison Garnham said the number of children not receiving free school meals “isn’t right” while the evidence on their benefits “is really strong.”

She said: “Marcus Rashford is right to demand lasting solutions for children in poverty, including an extension of free school meals to all families on universal credit. 

“The public support for him suggests that few would quibble over providing a £2.30-per-day meal for every child as a basic entitlement.   

“Free school meals won’t end child poverty alone but they will go a good way towards protecting children from hardship and helping struggling families to stay afloat.  

“Now more than ever as we head towards a coronavirus recession, children need that daily layer of protection.“

The charity is urging ministers to go beyond providing temporary food aid to low-income families in the holidays and make free school meals universal for all school-aged children in Britain.

CPAG also calls for the recent temporary extension of eligibility to families below the income threshold who have no recourse to public funds to be made permanent.