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Three pupils in every primary school face a deprived Christmas

Some of the youngest children in the UK are facing a childhood crisis as a new analysis of official figures shows three pupils in every primary school class will be deprived of the basics this Christmas. 

Nearly one million under-10s from low-income families face a Christmas with little to celebrate, lacking essentials such as a warm bed to sleep in, winter clothes or fresh food. 

Many families are struggling following a decade of austerity and ongoing problems with universal credit. And research also shows parents below the breadline can spend on average just £2 a day per child on food – and struggle to afford nutritious food vital for health and development. 

With no free school meals available during the school holidays, this leaves many worse-off families struggling to afford their children’s lunch. A typical primary school meal in the UK costs £2.30 a day, which means parents can barely afford lunch, let alone breakfast and dinner. 

Action for Children’s chief executive, Julie Bentley, said: “The next Government must deliver ambitious policies to end child poverty and bring in a National Childhood Strategy to give all our children a safe and happy childhood. But until every family has enough money to keep their child warm and well fed, we will continue to help them.” 

This is why we’re asking the public to become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable children this Christmas.