Parents of Northumberland school children are unable to pay for their energy bills or critical essentials. There are some families who cannot afford to buy their children school lunches, whilst others grapple with energy costs to dry school uniforms.
Parents of Northumberland school children are unable to pay for their energy bills or critical essentials.
This is the message from council officers at Northumberland County Council’s family and children’s services overview and scrutiny committee, stating that attendance is slowly improving but is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Economic deprivation was said to be a leading barricade to education in the country.
It was stated that there are many reasons why families are struggling. Coun Anne Dale, representing the Stocksfield ward, expressed “the cost-of-living crisis is making it difficult for parents to send children to school, there are children being sat at home because they can't afford the school blazer.”
“They're children, we want them to have outstanding education and good career opportunities.”
"It's so important we understand it's not their fault - it's the environment they're in sometimes.”
