Contact Us

Survey reveals some British pupils have been eating rubbers for not affording lunch

A new survey on food poverty in British schools due to be published next month by Chefs in Schools has brought into the open that many schools in England are already seeing a "heartbreaking" increase in hungry children, even before winter and big energy bills force more families to choose between switching on the heating and buying food. Some British pupils are so hungry that they are eating rubbers or hiding in the playground by pretending to have their meals because they cannot afford lunch.

  • 15
  • 15
Regular, nutritious food is the backbone of a secure childhood – and vital for ensuring every child can reach their potential in school. But too many young people are going without – 2.6 million children live in households that have gone short of food in the last month. No child should come to school too hungry to learn. No child should have to experience anxiety or fear for where their next meal is coming from. No child should feel humiliated by their families' circumstances, or struggle to concentrate in class because they haven't had lunch. But now, in 2022, this is the shocking reality that millions of children are enduring," The National Education Union pointed out.