Almost three million school children in the UK have experienced hygiene poverty in the past year, with 23 million estimated days of school learning lost each year as a consequence.

Research released on Wednesday (20 August) found a 68% year-on-year increase in state school teachers reporting daily instances of pupils experiencing hygiene poverty, meaning they are unable to afford basic essentials like soap, toothpaste or the ability to wash their clothes.

The study, by charity The Hygiene Bank and laundry brand smol , found that hygiene poverty has knock-on effects, with children in hygiene poverty 85% more likely to experience bullying, and 75% more likely to experience academic underperformance in school.

Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, told Big Issue that the numbers w

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