MORE than 60 per cent of school children living in poverty in the area could miss out on free school meals under universal credit proposals.

The Children's Society charity estimates a combined number of 26,200 children in poverty covered by Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire authorities will miss out on the meals after changes to the scheme.

The government is planning to introduce 'means testing' for free school meals under universal credit.

The charity warns this will create a 'cliff-edge' where many families would be better taking a pay cut.

Using figures from the Department of Education the charity estimates there are 36,600 school children in poverty in Lancashire, 22,900 of which would miss out on the free meals.

In Blackburn with Darwen they estimate there are 5,700 school children in poverty, of which 3,300 would miss out.

Cllr Dave Harling, executive member for education on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the figures are 'appalling'.

He said: "Children cannot study on an empty stomach.

"If what The Children's Society is saying is true then that is appalling.

"We already know that some children are not really getting the food and nourishment they should.

"We should be trying to widen access to free school meals.

"It's very sneaky of the government."

This comes as more than 140,000 children in total are estimated to miss out across the North West.

The figures exclude children from reception and years one and two as they already receive universal free school meals.

Until now as universal credit has been rolling out, all families in receipt of the benefit have been automatically entitled to free school meals.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children’s Society said: “The government has a golden opportunity to ensure that almost every child in poverty in England does not go hungry at school.

“If the government wants to show it is truly committed to tackling the growing crises of inequality and child poverty, delivering free school meals for children in low-income working families is a crucial step.”

Dr Mary Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union,said: “Teachers are very aware of the impact of poverty on the children they teach.

"Taking away free school meals for families on universal credit is an unnecessary and damaging move that will cause huge distress and problems for many families.

"It is extraordinary that a Government that says it is committed to addressing inequality in education cannot grasp this fact.”