Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about child hunger and the School Breakfast Bill.

Hungry children struggle to learn. It is vital that it is ensured that all our children can have access to enough to eat so that they can live and learn without the pain of hunger.

As you will be aware, the Government currently funds school breakfasts through the National School Breakfast Programme which is due to end in March 2021. The Government has recently stated, “Any further investment in school breakfast clubs beyond March 2021 is subject to the upcoming Spending Review”.

I am concerned over the increase of child hunger during the pandemic. In July 2020, the National Food Strategy published a report which states that one of the miserable legacies of COVID-19 is likely to be a dramatic increase in unemployment and poverty, and therefore hunger. It argues that the effects of hunger on young bodies and minds are serious and long-lasting and exacerbate social inequalities.

Investing in healthy, free school breakfasts is a proven way to improve educational outcomes, child health, and save money for families. I believe the Government should look at expanding the provision of free, healthy breakfasts. It must also tackle child poverty while driving up standards in schools by providing extra support to the children who need it most.

I am aware that the School Breakfast Bill is a Private Member's Bill which aims to ensure that a free and healthy breakfast is given to pupils of schools serving areas with high levels of deprivation. It is due to have its First Reading in the House of Commons on 13 October 2020. While only a minority of Private Member's Bills become law, they do present an opportunity for individual MPs to raise issues. 

I can assure you that I will follow the progress of this Bill closely and continue to press the Government at every possible opportunity for action to tackle child hunger.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP