Our latest research has revealed that 45% of people who come to us for emergency fuel support have children living at home. In 2024 alone, this meant that we supported over 200,000 children in crisis situations, often without heat, light, or the ability to cook a meal.
It’s great news that the Government has said that any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will receive free school meals from September next year. This vital intervention will help ease the financial strain on vulnerable families, freeing up families’ budgets so that they can keep their homes warm, cook hot meals, wash themselves and their clothes and, in some instances, keep essential medical equipment running.
However, we have long called for the Government to provide financial support to eligible people automatically, without the need for them to apply. So, we think that the decision not to adopt “auto-enrolment” for this policy is a missed opportunity as we know that many parents who are eligible to receive free school meals for their children won’t apply for them.
