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| More pupils claiming free meals | More pupils claiming free meals |
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| The number of children eligible for free school meals in England has risen by 21,410 - the first annual increase in four years, government figures show. | The number of children eligible for free school meals in England has risen by 21,410 - the first annual increase in four years, government figures show. |
| The figures showed a 0.4% rise in free meals in primary, secondary and special schools from January 2008 to 2009. | The figures showed a 0.4% rise in free meals in primary, secondary and special schools from January 2008 to 2009. |
| Anti-poverty groups say it is yet more evidence that the recession is biting. | Anti-poverty groups say it is yet more evidence that the recession is biting. |
| The Department for Children, Schools and Families says it has lifted 500,000 children out of relative poverty and aims to end child poverty by 2020. | The Department for Children, Schools and Families says it has lifted 500,000 children out of relative poverty and aims to end child poverty by 2020. |
| 'Fair chance' | 'Fair chance' |
| Families are eligible for free school meals if they have an income, including benefits, below £16,000 per year. | Families are eligible for free school meals if they have an income, including benefits, below £16,000 per year. |
| Kate Green from the Child Poverty Action Group said the effects of the recession and job losses had built up gradually. | Kate Green from the Child Poverty Action Group said the effects of the recession and job losses had built up gradually. |
| Kate Green, Child Poverty Action Group: "Good information for parents is important" | Kate Green, Child Poverty Action Group: "Good information for parents is important" |
| She said unemployment was likely to rise and parents losing their jobs should make sure they were accessing the free meals to which they were entitled. | |
| In June, the government published a child poverty bill which pledged a duty to eradicate child poverty by 2020 with the help of local authorities, the NHS and police. | In June, the government published a child poverty bill which pledged a duty to eradicate child poverty by 2020 with the help of local authorities, the NHS and police. |
| A DCSF spokesman said: "We're determined not to abandon communities to long-term unemployment and risk generations of families falling into and staying in poverty... every child matters and deserves a fair chance to succeed." | A DCSF spokesman said: "We're determined not to abandon communities to long-term unemployment and risk generations of families falling into and staying in poverty... every child matters and deserves a fair chance to succeed." |
| Pupils who fell behind would get guaranteed intensive support, 3,000 Sure Start Centres had been created and all children had access to extended services outside school hours, the spokesman added. | Pupils who fell behind would get guaranteed intensive support, 3,000 Sure Start Centres had been created and all children had access to extended services outside school hours, the spokesman added. |