The cost of food in Britain continues to rise, making it harder for millions, particularly working-class families, to afford nutritious meals. The increasing prices are driving a growing reliance on cheaper, less healthy options like ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and fast food. A recent report from The Food Foundation highlights the worsening disparity between healthy and unhealthy foods, with healthier options like fresh vegetables and fruit seeing price hikes of over 20% in the past two years, while less nutritious foods have only increased by 11%.
For the most deprived fifth of the population, the cost of eating a healthy diet is staggering, with households needing to spend up to 45% of their disposable income just to meet the government’s dietary guidelines. This figure increases to 70% for families with children. As a result, many families are resorting to food banks, skipping meals, or struggling to provide consistent, healthy meals for their children.
The impact of this affordability crisis extends beyond physical health, with school health workers reporting delayed or stunted growth among children. The situation is also causing significant mental health strain, as parents and children experience stress over the cost of meals and accumulating school meal debts.
The Role of Free School Meals and Campaigns for Change
Campaigners, like those involved in the No Child Left Behind national initiative, are calling for universal free school meals to alleviate the financial burden on families, improve health, and enhance educational outcomes. Their arguments are supported by the success of London’s free school meal program for primary schools, which was introduced in 2023 amidst the cost-of-living crisis. With nearly 90% uptake, the program has shown benefits, including reduced financial stress for parents, improved meal quality at home, and better student focus and engagement in school.
Despite these successes, current government proposals focus on expanding breakfast clubs in state-owned schools, which campaigners argue is insufficient. They contend that more children would benefit from a free lunch during the school day. Several Members of Parliament (MPs) have recently backed a proposal to expand free school meals under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, but advocates for the program know that achieving universal coverage will require stronger, organized support from trade unions, public health advocates, and the general public. Without more significant government action, it seems unlikely that the situation will improve soon, leaving many families to continue struggling with the rising cost of living.
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