Many schools in England and Wales break up for half-term next week, causing fears among parents and poverty researchers about the rise of holiday hunger.
Households continue to suffer amid the cost of living crisis, with the consumer prices index including housing costs (CPIH) rising by 6.3% in the year to August 2023, according to Office for National Statistics inflation data.
Over two million school children are eligible for free school meals – 23.8% of pupils – which during term time helps take pressure off household budgets.
During school holidays, do you worry about stretched finances? Do you find yourself going without food or essentials to make sure children are fed? What impact does half-term have on you?
