Mayor steps up fight against child poverty

A regional initiative to tackle child poverty is gaining momentum with new grants for childcare and school breakfast clubs at the heart of efforts.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness visited Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School in Peterlee, County Durham, as part of a wider effort to support early years development. 

The visit comes after the mayor launched the country’s first Child Poverty Reduction Unit (CPRU) to deliver targeted action across the region.

The CPRU will present its first draft action plan in June, outlining investment in community-based schemes. 

Mayor McGuinness, who joined pupils and teachers at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School to see first-hand the benefit of breakfast clubs and free school meals, said: “Listening to families, charities, schools and many other community organisations over the last two months, it’s clear our region is united behind our mission to tackle child poverty and break down barriers to opportunity.  

“Our child poverty action plan will put in place the foundations to give every child in the North East the best possible start in life. 

“We’ll be using every tool at our disposal, rolling out support in communities and opening up the new Mayor’s Childcare Grant.  

“We’ll take action with local authorities to get free school meals to all eligible pupils through auto-enrolment, as an immediate staging post to my ambition to expand this support to as many pupils as possible across the region. 

“I want to see breakfast clubs rolled out much more widely in North East schools, as part of efforts to cut the cost of the school day and help parents balance work and childcare: putting money in pockets, and ensuring children start the school day ready to learn and thrive.” 

Earlier this month, the mayor also visited Newbiggin by the Sea to meet with community leaders, charities, businesses and teachers to discuss the region’s child poverty plan. 

Francesca Craik, chief standards officer at Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, which runs Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, added: “Breakfast clubs play a vital role in supporting children, providing them with more than just a meal — they offer a foundation for success. 

“Research shows that these clubs improve pupils’ social skills, behaviour and educational attainment while fostering healthy eating habits. 

“When children start the day with a nutritious breakfast, they can concentrate better, engage more fully in learning and thrive. 

“Unfortunately, not all families have the means to provide this essential meal. 

“That’s why breakfast clubs are so important – as a Trust we are committed to supporting clubs in all our schools — they ensure every child gets the best possible start to their day, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable future for all children.” 

A £2.7 million fund has already been committed for 2024/25 to support families, schools and employers, including family learning sessions in schools and improved access to free school meals.

A new Childcare Grant will also be piloted in the spring, with further evaluation and expansion planned for late 2025.

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