Rishi Sunak’s claims about child poverty rates in the UK have been slammed in a new viral video by lawyer and activist Peter Stefanovic.
Indeed the number of UK children in food poverty has nearly doubled in the last year to almost 4 million.
These truly worrying statistics will increase pressure on ministers to expand the provision of free school meals to struggling families.
According to the Food Foundation thinktank, one in five (22%) of households reported skipping meals, going hungry or not eating for a whole day in January, up from 12% at the equivalent point in 2022.
The foundation’s chief executive, Anna Taylor, said the latest data revealed big holes in the government’s safety net. “By extending free school meals to more children in England in the next budget, the government could deliver a policy change that is popular with voters, targeted and timely, and truly delivers on levelling up.”
Viral video
Peter shared his new video and wrote: “Rishi Sunak says the Conservative Governments record on child poverty is “something we can celebrate” Child poverty has hit a record high in the UK 4m Children live in poverty the number of children in food poverty has nearly doubled in last year Is that a cause to celebrate?”
Related: Daily Mail columnist’s Brexit woes… but sympathy in short supply