More than half of teachers in UK donate food, clothig to pupils

Almost three in five teachers are giving hard-up pupils food and clothes as the cost of living crisis hits vulnerable kids.

A poll carried out by a teaching union shows kind-hearted teachers stepping in to shoulder the burden. Stats from the NASUWT revealed that 58 per cent have donated food and clothing, per Mirror.

And 15% had lent cash to kids who were struggling for something to eat.

Union general secretary Patrick Roach said: “This is a deeply disturbing picture of the damaging impact of the cost of the living crisis on children and young people the length and breadth of the country.

“It is outrageous that we should be seeing more and more families struggling or unable to feed, clothe or keep a roof over their children’s heads.”

Dr Roach called on the new Prime Minister to help youngsters and their families through the difficult autumn and winter, as the energy price cap kicks in and inflation hits household budgets.

The poll of 6,500 teachers shows a third have given advice on how youngsters and their families can access food banks.

Two-thirds had seen pupils as young as five turn up for school in torn clothes, without proper shoes and without pens and pencils.

Teachers reported paying for children’s lunches and hot drinks. One said seen some children come to school having not eaten anything but a packet of crisps in 24 hours.

Others described asking relatives to donate winter coats to keep kids warm or taking washing home for pupils.

John Hayes, head of Gospel Oak primary in North London, says they are having to rely on community fundraisers to buy equipment like computers.

“It’s horrific, it’s going to get worse,” he said.

“This cost of living crisis is just adding to problems that have been around for years and the root cause is underfunding.

“It’s a disgrace in this day and age that we’re having to ask for charity to fund the essentials such as computers.