By Ethan Davies, Charlotte Hall, Chris Gee, George Lythgoe, Nick Jackson, and Declan Carey.

Nearly one in ten children in Greater Manchester have fallen into a nasty trap.

They live in poverty — but they can't get free school meals, because government criteria are 'too restrictive', according to a new report from anti-poverty campaigners. The report, from GM Poverty Action (GMPA) and Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), suggests that 46,000 children out of Greater Manchester's 585,000 under-15s — eight percent — fall into this category. 

Government rules say free school meals can only be given to schoolchildren whose parents receive one or more of a range of benefits, including universal credit — but the family must earn less than £7,400 net annually to qualify. For its part, the Department for Education says this government has extended eligibility for free school meals since 2010. 

A statement added: "We understand the pressures many households are under, which is why we have extended eligibility for free school meals to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century – doubling the number of children receiving free school meals since 2010 from one sixth to one third.

"We have also put protections in place to ensure that children who are eligible for free school meals retain that entitlement even if their household circumstances change."

A report has argued that current government criteria on free school meals is too restrictive (Image via SWNS)

But the issue has prompted an emotional response from Greater Manchester's political leaders. Arooj Shah, Oldham's leader, says it's 'personal' to her. "It's not just about numbers; it's about human decency," she added.

"We owe it to our children to provide them with the most fundamental of needs: nourishment. It's disheartening that we're even having this conversation in a society as advanced as ours."

She isn't alone. Joanna Midgeley, deputy leader in Manchester, says she's lobbied the government for more help, but those 'pleas have unfortunately fallen on deaf ears'. 

"However we will continue to make the case for vulnerable residents in Manchester, and through programmes such as Making Manchester Fairer, do our part in alleviating the impact of deprivation and poverty," she continued. 

And Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, says 'no child should be refused a hot, healthy meal, should they need one'. He also supports a review of the policy to introduce 'targeted' intervention for those who need it.

A spokesperson for Andy Burnham said the mayor would welcome a national free school meal policy (Image - LDRS)

A spokesperson for Stockport council, where 3,000 children are hit by this issue, said: "Approximately 3,000 Stockport children living in low-income households in receipt of local council tax support and/or housing benefit, have been contacted by Stockport Council and given the opportunity to enrol on the council's school meal support scheme. 

"Children who have enrolled on to the scheme have been provided with a paid for school/college meal each day of term during the 2023/24 academic year. Over 1,300 Stockport children are receiving this support."

A statement on behalf of Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "We support the call for a review of national free school meal policy, and believe a targeted approach would deliver the best outcomes for young people in our city-region. Pupils will never thrive inside and outside the classroom, if they are learning on an empty stomach.

"Three years ago, we established a Food Security Action Network, to tackle food poverty and end holiday hunger in Greater Manchester. No-one in Britain should go hungry, and no child should be refused a hot, healthy meal, should they need one."

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