MORE than 12,500 children classed as living in poverty in Dorset will miss out on free school meals because of eligibility changes, a charity claims.

But Dorset MPs who backed the changes say it will actually help more children.

MPs voted for changes to Universal Credit (UC) which include a means test, where claimants with net earnings up to £7,400 will be entitled to free school meals.

Families are currently able to claim free meals if they are on UC, as part of a package of measures to help the transition to the new benefits system.

But now, children in Year 3 and above whose parents are on UC and earn more than the £7,400 threshold will no longer be eligible.

The Children’s Society has criticised the changes, which they say will create a ‘cliff-edge.’

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society said: “There are significant, proven benefits for children’s health, education and their futures in making sure they have a healthy lunch every day, but at least one million children will miss out if this change is introduced.

“Continuing to provide free school meals for all children on Universal Credit would not only help vulnerable children, it would also prevent low income parents being left worse off if they take on more hours or get a pay rise. Universal Credit was designed to always make work pay, but these plans will undermine that very principle.”

Data released by The Children’s Society also shows that in Dorset there are 12,800 children living in poverty who will miss out on free school meals, including 2,500 children in Poole, 2,800 children in Bournemouth and 7,500 elsewhere in the county.

The Children’s Society uses relative poverty as an indicator of someone living in poverty and says 26% of children across the county are in poverty. A family is in relative poverty if their income is below 60% of the median household income. It also means they’re likely to be excluded from the activities and opportunities that the average person enjoys.

The new policy will come into effect on Sunday April 1 and will only affect those not already on Universal Credit.

If you're already on Universal Credit, your child's free lunches won't disappear if you earn more than the threshold.

Instead, your child will be protected until the end of March 2022 or whenever their phase of education finishes, for example, if they’re in primary school they’re covered until Year 6 and if they’re in secondary school they’re covered until the end of Year 11.

Children in England who are in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are still all entitled to free school meals. That’s not changing. It will only impact children in Year 3 onwards.

The Department for Education says it estimates that by 2022, around 50,000 more children will benefit from a free school meal compared to the previous benefits system.

Lynne Hubbard of Weymouth and Portland Action on Wages, who is also a dietitian said: “I have no doubt in saying that children will go hungry as a result of this decision.

“This could push people into serious problems. We already know that children aren’t performing well at some schools, not being able to have a school meal will contribute to that.

“This removes yet another safety net of our welfare state.”

MPs EXPLAIN DECISION TO BACK SHAKE-UP

Laboour's shadow education minister Angela Rayner made a bid to stop the proposed changes to Universal Credit which she said could leave a million children without a meal at lunchtime

However, the proposed amendment was defeated in a vote in the House of Commons that saw 312 in favour of the plans to change the criteria for school meals and 254 against.

Among those supporting the new policy were all of Dorset's Conservative MPs.

West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin said: “Labour's proposal to borrow hundreds of millions of extra pounds each year to give free school meals to people with incomes much higher than the thresholds that have applied in the past is yet another unfortunate example of fantasy economics. The scheme being introduced by the government will mean that everyone currently getting free school meals will continue to get them, and the overall number of children getting them will increase. That is a sensible and affordable way to manage this.”

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: "It is simply wrong to say that fewer children than before will receive free school meals as a result of changes to eligibility under Universal Credit.

"In fact, the changes will mean an extra 50,000 children will be eligible for a free school meal by 2022.

"It is important to note that all existing claimants will continue to receive free school meals during Universal Credit rollout and newly eligible children will be protected during rollout.

"Those no longer eligible will have their free school meals entitlement protected until end of current phase of education.

"The proposed changes to the eligibility criteria ensure that support is targeted where it is needed most, meaning that those on the lowest incomes remain the focus of Free School Meals.

"To reiterate, contrary to the misinformation peddled by the Labour Party, the Government is increasing the number of disadvantaged children who are eligible for free school meals.

"Because of this I voted with the Government to extend the eligibility for free school meals."