THE number of pupils eligible for free school meals across Cheshire has risen by an average of 95 per cent in the past six years.

This is according to new Government data recently published on state-funded schools across the UK.

Although the Government says the pandemic has had an effect, the stark increase in the amount of pupils eligible is also down to a change in the rules, which state that once someone qualifies for free meals they can stay on them, even if their circumstances change.

The data shows that across all schools in Cheshire East, there were 4,046 pupils eligible for free school meals in the 2015/16 academic year which was 7.8 per cent of the overall number of pupils in the borough.

In comparison, in the 2021/22 academic year, the figures show 8,301 pupils eligible for free school meals.

This is 14.7 per cent of the overall number of pupils – a 104 per cent increase in the number of pupils eligible for free school meals in the past six years.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson explained: “This increase is not solely down to the economic effect of the Covid pandemic, or the recent rise in the cost of living.

“The transitional arrangements put in place from April 2018 for the roll out of universal credit has been the major contributor to the increase in eligibility for free school meals.

“These arrangements have meant that any pupil eligible for free school meals on March 31, 2018, or who became eligible from April 1, 2018, onwards, has protected status, and should continue to receive free school meals until the end of the universal credit roll out period, at least until summer 2023.”

Meanwhile, across all schools in Cheshire West and Chester, there were 5,107 pupils eligible for free school meals in the 2015/16 academic year.

This is 10.6 per cent of the overall number of pupils in the borough.

In the 2021/22 academic year, the figures show 9,470 pupils eligible for free school meal which is 18.4 per cent of the overall number of pupils.

This is an increase of 85.4 per cent in the number of pupils eligible for free school meals in the past six years.

CWAC cabinet member for children and families, Councillor Robert Cernik said: “In April 2018, the criteria used to determine which pupils are eligible for free school meals was updated by Government to reflect the introduction of Universal Credit and the phasing out of other income-based benefits.

“These changes had a direct impact on the increase in children being eligible for free school meals, although the number of eligible pupils is below national and regional averages.

“We acknowledge that this is a challenging time for some of our families in the borough who are finding it difficult to meet the increasing cost of living.

“We are committed to providing support for anyone in financial hardship and we are working with our community and partners to ensure new funding that is available helps as many people as possible.”