Newcastle Council working to reduce child poverty

Four in ten youngsters across Newcastle are trapped in child poverty according to the think- thank, the NE Child Poverty Commission. This is the second highest in the UK.

That’s one reason Newcastle Council is stepping in to provide food vouchers for city children and young people this October half-term. The Council  has set aside £235k from the Household Support Fund to support 15,700 youngsters who are eligible for free school meals. Each voucher is worth £15 per child per week.

As the NE Poverty Commission notes, free school meals are a ”lifeline” to so many regional families.

Without any formal system in place to meet this demand over half-term, the council has put together a voucher scheme to ensure that children and young people don’t go hungry. With the cost of living crisis hitting thousands, with over 18,000 in Newcastle due to lose over £86 a month in November from Universal Credit, means many city residents will struggle to make ends meet.

Parents and carers should contact their child’s school, college, or early year’s provider who will issue the vouchers. Child poverty is everyone’s business both in the city and elsewhere.