Dozens of celebrities, together with Oscar winners Kate Winslet and Olivia Colman, have written an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to fund free college meals for each main college pupil in England.

Led by the National Education Union, the letter explains little one starvation is an “epidemic”, claiming 4 million youngsters confronted meals insecurity final 12 months, with some having to skip meals fully.

It comes as Education Secretary Gillian Keegan prepares to make her cornerstone speech on the Conservative occasion convention in Manchester at this time.

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The letter says: “We are writing to induce you to increase Free School Meal provision to each main college little one in England.

“We are living through the greatest cost of living crisis in a generation, and too many families with young children are being pulled into poverty.

“Free college meals for each little one will put a refund in dad and mom’ pockets. That’s cash they will use to pay for different necessities for his or her youngsters, from heating and meals at dwelling to hobbies and after-school golf equipment.

“Teachers and support staff see the difference a healthy school dinner makes. When children are hungry, they can’t learn. It’s hard for them to concentrate and harder for them to reach their potential. Free School Meals for all would mean every child can learn and succeed.

“For the primary three years of college, each little one in England will get a sizzling dinner – and no little one beneath seven needs for meals whereas they’re at college.”

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Scotland and Wales is already extending its respective schemes to all main youngsters, whereas Sadiq Khan has implemented universal free school meals in London.

Adding his signature to the letter is comic James Acaster, who mentioned: “The time I spent in school taught me it’s a pretty terrible idea trying to teach kids who haven’t had a decent lunch. I’m supporting the No Child Left Behind campaign because every child should have a hot, healthy school dinner, every day.”

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Novelist Neil Gaiman, added: “I’m currently funding several Scottish school ‘breakfast toast clubs’ where they have at least some toast or snacks for kids who arrive at school hungry.

“It breaks my coronary heart that there are children who’re going to must undergo the entire day with out meals. We can change that.”

Other well-known faces including their names to the decision embody The Thick Of It author Armando Iannucci, Succession actor Brian Cox, musician Jessie Ware and chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

In response, a authorities spokesperson mentioned: “Over a third of pupils in England now receive free school meals in education settings, compared with one in six in 2010, and we have extended eligibility several times to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century.

“This consists of introducing new eligibility standards for households receiving Universal Credit, to make sure much more youngsters have been eligible for a free college meal.

“We’re providing record financial support worth an average £3,300 per household. We have also raised benefits in line with inflation, increased the National Living Wage and are helping households with food, energy and other essential costs.”