As children return to school across England, today all children in households receiving Universal Credit become eligible for free school meals.
The change is the biggest expansion of free school meal eligibility in more than a decade, since Universal Infant Free School Meals were introduced in 2014. It will give hundreds of thousands more children access to a nutritious meal during the school day, while saving families around £500 per child each year.
In a statement coordinated by the School Food Review, a coalition working to improve England's school food system, over 100 organisations have welcomed the change. Signatories include school leaders' and teaching bodies ASCL, NAHT and the NEU; children’s, food and anti-poverty organisations, including School Food Matters, Child Poverty Action Group, Sustain, Bite Back, Chefs in Schools, The Food Foundation and The Children’s Society; plus a wide range of health, community support and academic institutions.
The statement says:
“Today many thousands more children across England will be fuelled for learning thanks to a free school meal. As organisations working in schools and with children, we know this is a huge boost for children and families.”
We commend the government on this substantive change that will be felt in classrooms and households across England, igniting children's learning and giving parents welcome breathing space, saving them around £500 per year.”
Stephanie Slater MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of School Food Matters, says:
“This is an important moment for children and families across England. Free school meals can take pressure off household budgets and ensure children are well nourished and ready to learn. We now eagerly await the publication of the new school food standards and a framework for monitoring so that every school meal is delicious and nutritious.”
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, says:
“The expansion of free school meals is a hugely welcome step as children return to the classroom this term. School leaders see first-hand the impact hunger can have on children's wellbeing, concentration and ability to learn. Extending eligibility to more families will make a real difference, helping to ensure thousands more children are properly fuelled for learning while providing support for more households facing ongoing cost pressures.”
In a press release shared by the Department for Education today, Education Secretary Lucy Powell, said:
"Through our historic expansion of free school meals, more free breakfast clubs, childcare support and action on school uniform costs, we’re helping ease the back-to-school squeeze with thousands of savings that give parents the breathing space they need."
