This morning, the government announced that over half a million more children across the UK are to receive free school meals. This is a new entitlement to free school meals for all children in household on Universal Credit.

The Government announcement reads:

“Over half a million more children will benefit from a free nutritious meal every school day, as the government puts £500 back into parents’ pockets every year by expanding eligibility for free school meals.

From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will have a new entitlement to free school meals. This will make life easier and more affordable for parents who struggle the most, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity and give children the best start in life.

The unprecedented expansion will lift 100,000 children across England completely out of poverty. Giving children access to a nutritious meal during the school day also leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes – meaning they get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.

Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year, meaning hundreds of thousands of children living in poverty have been unable to access free school meals.

The government’s historic new expansion to those on Universal Credit will change this and comes ahead of the Child Poverty Taskforce publishing its ten-year strategy to drive sustainable change later this year. It comes on top of targeted support for families being hit the hardest with the cost-of-living crisis, with urgent action including raising the national minimum wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 families through the Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.”

Read the full post here.

Welwyn Hatfield’s Labour MP, Andrew Lewin, said:

“Free school meals for 4,510 more children in Welwyn Hatfield. This is our Labour Government at its best, investing in young people and easing the cost of living pressure on parents. I’ve visited more than 20 of our local schools and seen first hand what a difference this will make. If you are a parent and have questions about your eligibility, please contact my office
on andrew.lewin.mp@parliament.uk”

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