Heartbreak of 'hygiene poor'

Students arrive unwashed and in dirty clothes

- LUCY THORNTON

MORE and more pupils are going to school in dirty uniforms or with unwashed hair and teeth not brushed amid the cost of living crisis, a survey found.

And many skip lessons due to the shame of "hygiene poverty".

The poll found 80% of school staff believe there has been an increase in kids arriving in class in dirty clothes because their parents cannot afford cleaning products.

It also revealed teachers and their support workers have even stepped in to help by washing uniforms and buying families in need soap, toiletries and laundry detergent, spending around £27 each.