The National Education Union (NEU) has slammed “out-of-touch” means-testing after research found significant differences between the number of children living in poverty and those receiving targeted support.

The Education Policy Institute warned that the numbers of disadvantaged youngsters not in receipt of free school meals or Pupil Premium government grants are “especially noticeable for children from certain communities, including those from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian backgrounds.”

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “This report demonstrates how children and schools are missing out on crucial support because of out-of-touch bureaucracy blocking children’s access to food.

“Means testing means children missing out. The eligibility threshold for free school meals is a disgrace: a household income over £7,400 per year (before benefits) means a child is too well off to qualify.

“Worse still, the report shows how even those who meet the criteria are still not getting their entitlement. 

“We urge the government to make sure no child is missing out, by investing in our pupils with free school meals for all.”