Calls have been made to support struggling Nottinghamshire families after free school meal claimants increased by more than 10 per cent during the previous academic year.
Nottinghamshire County Council data has revealed 24,178 children claimed the support in July 2021.
This was up from 21,840 in September 2020, a rise of roughly 10.7 per cent or 2,338 pupils.
Ashfield district is the hardest hit with 5,244 total claimants in July, rising from 4,794 last September, while Mansfield has the second-highest number of claimants at 4,456.
The Rushcliffe borough has the fewest claimants at 1,885, increasing from 1,705 in September.
The same data shows a 26.8 per cent rise since the start of the pandemic, increasing by 5,117 children from the 19,061 countywide claimants in March last year.
And it has sparked concern from opposition parties on Nottinghamshire County Council, who called for more support for struggling families.
Councillor Michelle Welsh represents Arnold South and is Labour’s spokesperson for children and young people.
She said: “The increase in free school meal take-up across Nottinghamshire is a big concern to me, particularly given the evidence linking those pupils receiving a free school meal with poorer educational outcomes.
“The county council must be much more proactive with practical issues such as improving access and support into decent jobs, good housing and the provision of extra-curricular activities for our children and young people.
“Our young people need to grow up in stable and secure environments, feeling confident they can achieve their ambitions and aspirations.”
Councillor Andy Meakin (Ash Ind) represents Kirkby North and sits on the authority’s children and young people committee.
He added: “I don’t need to look at statistics to understand poverty has risen dramatically since the start of the pandemic.
“We are calling for targeted help for our families who are struggling below the poverty line.
“This includes improving retraining opportunities and improving social mobility, including better public transport.”
However, Conservative-led Nottinghamshire County Council says it is committed to supporting families across the county.
The authority has put the claimant rise down to the financial impact from Covid, as well as national media interest for free school meals .
Earlier in the summer, high profile campaigns by Manchester and England footballer Marcus Rashford raised the issue of funding for poorer families during the pandemic.
Marion Clay, service director for education, learning and skills, added: “During the summer holiday period, 25,135 eligible children and young people were provided with food vouchers to spend in supermarkets.
“The council has continued to do all it can to help vulnerable families and the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, running across the summer holidays, has offered free activities to young people in Nottinghamshire along with free healthy meals and information about nutrition.
“This programme will continue to provide funding and delivery over the Christmas 2021 holiday period.”
Families can claim free school meals if they meet certain financial criteria, including access to Universal Credit, income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or have an annual household income less than £7,400.
