Deputy Mayor of London discusses Cost of Living support with Battersea families

Parents, pupils and staff at Sacred Heart School discussed free school meals and the Cost of Living crisis with top London leaders this week.

The Battersea primary school hosted a visit from Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Children and Families, and members of the London Assembly Cost of Living Working Group.

The group is meeting Londoners to see what support they’re receiving to help ease the pressures of the rising cost of living.

Simon Hogg attended the event

Monday’s visit was a chance to see the impact of the Mayor of London’s Universal Free School Meals programme.

The programme has been welcomed by Wandsworth Council, which has launched its own School Food Strategy to reduce child hunger and ensure children have access to fresh, sustainable, healthy food.

Other Cost of Living support for families in Wandsworth includes free uniforms for low income families and free off-peak swimming in local leisure centres.

Cabinet Member for Children Kate Stock and Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg went along to Sacred Heart to meet children and parents and join the discussions.

Kate Stock, pictured above it the school garden, said: “We know the impact the Cost of Living crisis is having on local families, so we welcome the Mayor of London’s free school meals scheme and the work of the Cost of Living Working Group to understand the pressures people face.

“We will continue to do all we can to support local people, and encourage all families to make sure they are claiming all they help they are entitled to.”

Find out about support for families