This morning, members of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) joined forces with the National Education Union (NEU), other health organisations and workers’ representatives to deliver an open letter to the Department of Health and Social Care. Inside the open letter is an urge to implement universal free school meals for all primary school-aged children across the country, so that a cost-of-living crisis not caused by a single child does not compromise their nutrition, educational attainment or figure.

This is a key demand of the No Child Left Behind campaign, which was initiated by the NEU. Having already gathered support from over 300 civil society organisations, politicians and public figures, the campaign is driven by the urgent concerns of our members — dietitians who are witnessing first-hand the detrimental effects of poor nutrition on children’s health and development. Our members regularly encounter children who are not receiving adequate nutrition, impacting both their physical health and their ability to learn and thrive in school.

Currently, 30 percent of children in England — that number is 4.3 million — are living in poverty. Recent surveys conducted for the NEU by Survation reveal that 52 percent of struggling parents in England are cutting back on food shopping due to rising costs. Furthermore, 37 percent of children in England know someone at school who sometimes does not have enough to eat. Our campaign emphasises the critical role played by free school meals in the drive to remove this curse.

And while the government’s rhetoric over rebuilding the NHS is greatly welcomed, we also strongly support the new focus on creating an NHS based on prevention. In the longer term, the prevention of nutrition related diseases like diabetes and obesity can be seriously tackled by providing nutritious meals to all primary school children. From there, positive habits are built that can last a lifetime, as balanced diets and healthy choices are considered viable early on — and can help take a huge weight off the NHS’ infrastructure.

The benefits extend beyond physical health. Many politicians disregarding child hunger prefer to ignore that nutrition is crucial for cognitive development and educational attainment. Among local drives, a 2013 Department for Education pilot project found significant improvements in academic performance among children when universal free primary school meals were implemented.

It is also economically viable too, with even analysis from Price Waterhouse Cooper suggesting that for every £1 spent on implementing universal free school meals, the national economy would benefit by £1.70. Over two decades, this could generate around £100 billion for our economy. This potential return on investment makes universal free school meals a prudent policy choice, providing relief to families while yielding significant returns.

The relief for families — particularly in the large cities and towns — would be obvious too. In London, where universal free school meals have already begun, 78 percent of parents have reported that it has helped to seriously alleviate financial pressures. There is no reason why this shouldn’t be extended nationwide, with some estimates ranging towards £22 billion in annual food savings being saved by families.

And part of the overall benefits created by this implementation has been down to the fact that it is completely universal, with no means testing to provoke stigma or lower intake. This stigma has clearly dogged many of the lowest earning households in Britain eligible for free school meals. Child Poverty Action Group research suggests that as many as one in three children miss out, urging instead to consider the financial and psychological security inherent in a universal option.

While the BDA is at the forefront of this campaign, we stand alongside our colleagues across various sectors. The NEU, through the No Child Left Behind campaign, has been instrumental in bringing this issue to the forefront of public discourse. Their upcoming Free Schools Meals for All national tour, starting on 12 September in Ealing and concluding at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, will further highlight the urgent need for universal free school meals and its potential to transform child health and education.

Following the delivery of the open letter, we call on the government to recognise the collective voice of health professionals, educators and workers across the country. We urge policymakers to acknowledge the potential of universal free school meals in improving children’s health, educational outcomes and future prospects. We point them to successful examples of the system’s rolling out in Scotland, Wales and London. Finally — and crucially — we invite all members of the public, healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers to support this vital campaign.