A report by MPs says that thousands could be prevented from going hungry if children from poor households were automatically enrolled for free school meals.

With the current system, children will be missing out on being fed free of charge if their parents haven’t signed up for the scheme. An expert estimated that 1 in 10 children in poverty are not receiving the meals.

The education select committee has called for the change ‘without delay’. A Department of Education spokesperson said the government welcomed the proposals and would consider the recommendations.

You can read the full report here