I did just do some research to see how parents who own their property pay their mortgage when claiming benefits. I pay rent, which I get from the govt. Homeowners have to apply for a loan, but this loan is basically tagged to the value of the property and doesn't have to be paid back until the property is sold. So parents who cannot pay their mortgage get the help they need too.

Aside from extreme circumstances, I see no reason why a child should be going hungry in this country. It's nearly always bad parenting, and it's sufficiently serious enough for the govt to do more than simply provide meal vouchers.