A councillor said she is seeing evidence children are not eating across the Liverpool City Region.
Cllr Sue Powell-Wilde works with a zero food waste charity and said they are giving food to schools and families who can’t afford meals but aren't eligible for the free school meals programme.
She said: “It’s becoming more and more evident people are not eating and that includes families as well as children.”
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Cllr Helen Collinson said that she was also seeing similar trends in who was asking for free school meals. She said: “As a chair of governors, we’re used to working with families recieving free schools meals but that’s quite expanded now.
“It’s not just kids on free school meals, it’s working families who are above the threshold to receive free school meals but they’re receiving hampers as well. The situation has changed. The map and the poverty is completely different from what it was before.”
The comments were made at a Wirral Council meeting where the education committee discussed engaging with youth offenders, drops in schools performances since Covid, and worries about future funding for education in Wirral.
Cllr Collinson said: “I wish sometimes we had a crystal ball so we know what’s going on now and how it will have a serious impact on the service. It’s really scary isn’t it? Quarter 1 was great but that’s not the reality now.”
The council was reviewing a budget report from April to June, the first quarter of the financial year. This report showed that 98% of education savings were on track to be delivered but officers stressed the economic situation has significantly changed since June.
Cllr Collinson said: “It’s really encouraging that this department can raise funds externally but my worry is the funding might not be there next year. It’s really scary and worrying times.
“We are really going to have to buckle down and see what we can do”
Councillors also heard from officers working with youth offenders about progress in tackling youth crime. Despite seeing a 15% rise in the number of first-time youth offenders this year, the council’s youth justice strategy was praised for its engagement with young people in the community.
The strategy has targets in areas to address why young people entering the justice system for the first time, who is re-offending, and how long children are spending time in custody. The strategy will now be voted on by all councillors at the next full council meeting.
Councillors were also given an update on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on schools. Margaret Jackson from the Diocese of Shrewsbury said it was “really worrying” that only 50% of children are ready for Key Stage 2 and attendance, stamina and resilience of pupils in classes are dropping.
Councillors were told a further update on the situation in schools would come in December when the committee will review the education budget for July, August and September.
Cllr Helen Collinson said that she was also seeing similar trends in who was asking for free school meals. She said: “As a chair of governors, we’re used to working with families recieving free schools meals but that’s quite expanded now.
“It’s not just kids on free school meals, it’s working families who are above the threshold to receive free school meals but they’re receiving hampers as well. The situation has changed. The map and the poverty is completely different from what it was before.”
The comments were made at a Wirral Council meeting where the education committee discussed engaging with youth offenders, drops in schools performances since Covid, and worries about future funding for education in Wirral.
Cllr Collinson said: “I wish sometimes we had a crystal ball so we know what’s going on now and how it will have a serious impact on the service. It’s really scary isn’t it? Quarter 1 was great but that’s not the reality now.”
The council was reviewing a budget report from April to June, the first quarter of the financial year. This report showed that 98% of education savings were on track to be delivered but officers stressed the economic situation has significantly changed since June.
Cllr Collinson said: “It’s really encouraging that this department can raise funds externally but my worry is the funding might not be there next year. It’s really scary and worrying times.
“We are really going to have to buckle down and see what we can do”
Councillors also heard from officers working with youth offenders about progress in tackling youth crime. Despite seeing a 15% rise in the number of first-time youth offenders this year, the council’s youth justice strategy was praised for its engagement with young people in the community.
The strategy has targets in areas to address why young people entering the justice system for the first time, who is re-offending, and how long children are spending time in custody. The strategy will now be voted on by all councillors at the next full council meeting.
Councillors were also given an update on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on schools. Margaret Jackson from the Diocese of Shrewsbury said it was “really worrying” that only 50% of children are ready for Key Stage 2 and attendance, stamina and resilience of pupils in classes are dropping.
Councillors were told a further update on the situation in schools would come in December when the committee will review the education budget for July, August and September.
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