Thousands of children in England are not receiving free school meals despite meeting the eligibility criteria, a new report has found.

The Education Policy Institute (EPI) says some disadvantaged families struggle to register for them due to the stigma, which makes some parents and carers reluctant to apply, alongside a lack of digital access and IT skills.

Language barriers for those with English as an additional language can also provide challenges in accessing free school meals .

Dr Tammy Campbell, co-director for early childhood and wellbeing at the EPI, told Sky News there are "tens of thousands that are eligible for free school meals not receiving them".

The report recommends a new national system of auto-enrolment and other measures to address the issue.

Please use Chrome b

See Full Page