More than half of teachers have given food or clothing to their pupils, a union survey has suggested, the TES reports.
The poll of more than 6,600 teachers by the NASUWT teaching union revealed that teachers were also referring families to foodbanks.
Six out of 10 teachers said there had been an increase in the numbers of pupils coming to school hungry and seven out of 10 said more pupils lacked energy and concentration.
As Liz Truss was announced as the new leader of the Conservative party today, and will be made prime minister tomorrow (Tues, Sept 6), it is unlikely that there will be a “quick fix” to the problems teachers have raised.
In the race for the Tory leadership, Ms Truss prioritised tax cuts and rejected “handouts” as a way to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “This is a deeply disturbing picture of the damaging impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children and young people the length and breadth of the country.”
Dr Roach added that an “emergency response” was needed “to deliver extra help for children, schools and families.”
“It is outrageous that we should be seeing more and more families who are struggling or unable to feed, clothe or keep a roof over their children’s heads,” he said.