NEWS STORY : Government Expands Free School Meals to Over Half a Million Additional Children
STORY
In a move aimed at tackling child poverty and ensuring every pupil can focus on learning rather than hunger, the Government today announced that from the start of the 2026 school year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals. The expansion is expected to deliver a free, nutritious lunch to more than 500,000 additional pupils, putting roughly £500 back into parents’ pockets each year and lifting an estimated 100,000 children out of poverty.
Until now, eligibility for free school meals was restricted to families earning less than £7,400 per year. Under the new scheme, any family on Universal Credit, regardless of exact income, will benefit. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the policy as “a moral mission” of the government’s Plan for Change, emphasising that “background shouldn’t mean destiny.” She added that providing a reliable, healthy meal at school not only eases the burden on struggling families but also “leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes” for pupils.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the expansion, stating that “feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents’ pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn.” He acknowledged that many working parents face impossible choices between paying bills and putting food on the table, noting that the new entitlement will help break that cycle.
Child poverty campaigners hailed the announcement as a long-overdue milestone. Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, remarked that ensuring children arrive in class well-fed is “a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom” and could boost educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Kate Anstey, head of education policy at the Child Poverty Action Group, went further, calling it “fantastic news and a game-changer” that will give thousands of families “a bit of breathing space.”
To support the initiative, the government is also pledging more than £13 million to 12 food charities across England. These funds will underpin the Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme, which redistributes fresh produce directly from farms to communities in need, aiming to cut food waste and feed children who might otherwise go without. In parallel, the Department for Education is working with nutrition experts to update the School Food Standards, ensuring that future meals meet the latest guidance on healthy eating.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall underscored the broader welfare context, highlighting that from April 2026, most households will receive an above-inflation boost to their Universal Credit payment, a key plank in the government’s package to lift “a moral scar on our society.” She stressed that this expansion of free school meals is one part of a wider strategy, which includes raising the minimum wage and capping deductions from benefits to ease the cost-of-living squeeze on low-income families.
Local authorities and headteachers have been urged to prepare for the change by early 2026. Schools will be asked to verify eligibility using families’ National Insurance Numbers, and most are expected to open applications well before the new academic year begins. Meanwhile, existing pupil premium and home-to-school transport funding will continue unaffected, ensuring that schools do not face sudden budget shortfalls as more children become entitled to free meals.
