MORE than 5,000 children in the North-East and North Yorkshire became eligible for free school meals during the coronavirus pandemic, figures show.

The Children’s Society described the increase in eligible children as ‘worrying’ and said the figures highlight the damaging impact of Covid-19 on struggling families.

In County Durham, Department for Education figures suggest that the pandemic led to a spike in the number of youngsters qualifying for free school meals, increasing from 2,798 in autumn 2019 to 3,076 in autumn last year.

Joanne Eden, manager of Bowburn Youth Centre, which has been supplying free meals to children in the village, said: “The fact there is a need for meals means the Government is failing and more direct support to families on low incomes is needed.

“A family on furlough who are only getting 80 per cent of their wages right now sometimes have to make difficult decisions and the hot meal we provide can make a huge difference.”

In Darlington, the number of youngsters qualifying for free school meals rose from 498 in autumn 2019 to 716 in autumn last year.

In North Yorkshire, the number of youngsters qualifying for free school meals, increasing from 1,258 in autumn 2019 to 1,723 in autumn last year.

The meals can be claimed if a low-income parent or carer receives at least one of a range of means tested benefits, including Income Support, income based Job Seeker’s Allowance and Child Tax Credit.

Those studying remotely through the pandemic were provided with food parcels or vouchers.

In County Durham, 53 per cent of pupils at special schools, 29 per cent at state-funded primaries and 23 per cent at state-funded secondaries received free school meals.

In Darlington, 52 per cent of pupils at special schools, 27 per cent at state-funded primaries and 20 per cent at state-funded secondaries received free school meals.

In North Yorkshire, 35 per cent of pupils at special schools, 14 per cent at state-funded primaries and 11 per cent at state-funded secondaries received free school meals.

Azmina Siddique from The Children’s Society called for the scheme to be extended further to permanently incorporate low-income families that are not currently eligible, such as those with no recourse to public funds.

She said: “We know that the pandemic has had damaging consequences for struggling families, with many facing job losses and falls in income.

“Some have had to turn to the social security system for support for the first time.

“Even with this increase in take up, many low-income families are still missing out on free school meals support. It’s vital that the Government does more to support families who are struggling to make ends meet.”