NEARLY one in four pupils in England not receiving free school meals are in debt, new research suggests.

Aberlour Children’s Charity, which publishes the findings today, urged ministers to tackle the problem of hidden school hunger in the government’s forthcoming child poverty strategy.

Chief executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “We hope that the government pays close attention to this research, includes clear actions in the upcoming child poverty strategy to end school meal debt and hidden school hunger and introduces all the recommendations we have made that would help all those children and their families currently struggling with school meal debt.”

Schools across three council areas were asked about the number of pupils and families in debt, the value of debt, school debt recovery practices, support for families and, critically, whether children were still able to eat at school if they were in debt. 

Researchers found that 23.1 per cent of pupils from these schools, minus those eligible for free school meals, were in debt.

Many schools made pupils in debt bring in packed lunches, raising concerns about the potential for hidden hunger in schools. 

A tiny number of schools also reported that they were also prepared to take punitive measures to recover unpaid money, including using debt collection agencies, said the charity.

Figures provided by 47 schools suggested that the total debt faced by pupils is equivalent to £28 million across all state schools in England.

The research follows similar findings in Scotland and, “we believe, necessitates action by the UK government to support pupils, families and schools,” added Ms Kelly.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “No child should miss out on school meals because their parents can’t afford them. It’s a worrying sign that family budgets are so stretched that they’re racking up debt in this way.

“School support staff are often the first to notice when a child is struggling due to food insecurity and it can be heartbreaking for them. 

“While some areas offer universal free school meals, it’s still far too patchy. Access to a nutritious lunch at school shouldn’t be down to a postcode lottery.”

The Department for Education was contacted for comment.