Almost a third of parents on lower incomes have skipped a meal so that their children could eat during the holidays, according to YouGov backed research from cereal giants Kelloggs.

Now Steph Talbot, Chief Executive of the North Staffordshire based Alice Charity is calling on the Government and councils to step in and help.

The report, which has been delivered to all 650 MPs, reveals that 62 per cent of parents with a household income of less than £25,000 aren’t always able to afford to buy food outside of term time.
For parents with incomes of less than £15,000, the figure was 73 per cent.
And 41 per cent of parents in low-income families had skipped meals during the holidays.
School holidays are especially difficult for hard-up families, whose children usually receive free school meals or support from breakfast clubs. Around 41 per cent of parents said they felt isolated during the holidays because they were unable to afford to go out and entertain their children.
Nearly half said they stayed in the house more often than in term-time.
Almost a quarter said they had prioritised food over bills – and 38pc said they’d been forced to buy cheaper, less healthy food.
Steph Talbot said: “We hear that at least one Scottish council, North Ayrshire, is opening some schools to provide meals.
In reality, the Government needs to extend its much welcomed free meals scheme. Schools have had to gear up to provide meals for all children from reception to year two, so the capacity is now available.
“It is also a time when other cost pressures are high. For example, we are already getting requests from parents who are worried because they cannot afford new school uniforms and we will see many more from parents as the new term nears.”
The Alice Charity was founded in 2011 to provide social, emotional and financial support for families in need of a helping hand.
See www.alicecharity,com
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To contact Steph Talbot call 07598 179440 or email [email protected]