Commenting as the Sutton Trust publish their report on the impact of the rising cost of living on pupils, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “School leaders are seeing first-hand the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on pupils and families. Our members are reporting that they are seeing more and more families struggle to afford the basics, including food. There is a real worry we will see more children going cold and hungry at home this winter.  It is those poorest and most vulnerable families that are hardest hit, and who often turn to schools for support. 

“Children who are hungry cannot learn as well as they might be able to. Schools are trying to help where they can, with support for things like food and uniform, but the issues that underpin inequality reach far beyond the school gates and exist throughout the communities that schools serve.”