Financial security for parents makes for better classrooms
3 min read
I am happy to be part of a Labour Party that has put education at the heart of its agenda – including expanding free school meals, the establishment of Skills England and a refreshed approach to SEND.
I know the positive impact these reforms will have first-hand, as I was fortunate enough to be a deputy headteacher before taking my seat in Westminster last year. And, as I always stress, working in schools is the most valuable experience a politician can have to understand their constituents.
What was apparent to me during my time as a teacher is that the role and institution involve more than just educating. Schools are the centre point of communities – connecting school staff, young people and their families.
Unfortunately, years of mismanagement by previous governments have led to a decline in school funding – ultimately impacting educational standards.
But it is not just conditions in the classroom that affect behaviour at school: home environments do too. One of the simplest ways to help students is by putting more money in their families’ pockets. And given an estimated £24bn in benefits go unclaimed in the UK each year, this seems like a logical place to start.
I was therefore pleased to hear about Money Matters, which has been operating in schools in Greater Manchester. Developed by Kellogg’s and Resolve Poverty, the programme is designed to help low-income families access the benefits and financial support to which they are already entitled.
Families are expected to navigate confusing benefit systems alone, but we know this isn’t working. Money Matters addresses this by introducing financial inclusion officers (FIO), accredited in debt and benefits advice, directly to schools – safe, community spaces where parents will be more likely to access support. And we know this works.
Working in low-income communities, the FIOs have become a trusted presence – attending school events, coffee mornings and parents’ evenings, offering advice not from behind a desk but within familiar, welcoming spaces.
The results speak for themselves. Since the pilot was launched in Greater Manchester in 2022, Money Matters has unlocked over £600,000 for more than 300 families. That is an average gain of nearly £1,600 per family. For many parents, that difference means financial stability, and for children, happier lives and better engagement in the classroom.
What is so striking to me is that so many were previously unaware they were entitled to additional help at all. But the true value of these initiatives does not lie in pound sterling: many families reported improvements in mental wellbeing and confidence. Some parents, freed from the constant stress of money troubles, were able to focus on training, parental roles, or searching for employment opportunities.
These benefits have trickled down to the classroom. Schools experienced improved attendance, better concentration and higher academic performance among children whose families had been supported.
Teachers witness hunger and hardship first-hand. When a child arrives without breakfast, learning suffers and teaching becomes harder. This programme addresses the root cause by giving families the financial stability they need to provide at home.
I’m happy to say that Money Matters continues to run in schools across Greater Manchester.
So, how do we build on this? Let’s deliver a UK-wide pilot.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to squeeze families, the UK must embrace innovative solutions that meet people where they are. Money Matters shows that, with the right support, a complicated benefits system can become a gateway to opportunity, not an obstacle. If rolled out nationwide, it could lift thousands of families out of hardship and ensure no child starts their day hungry.
When families are freed from financial instability, parents are happier, leading to more productive schooling for their children. When it comes to education, money really does matter.
