Education is compulsory, yet most families are required to pay for essential items such as school meals and uniforms. These are not optional costs, and for many households they place a significant financial strain on families.

We want the Government to take action to ensure that all children have equal access to education without financial barriers. Expanding free school meals to all pupils and introducing national measures to cover the cost of compulsory uniforms would, in our view, promote fairness, reduce stigma, and support children’s health and learning outcomes.