Free School Meals Auto-enrolment 2025-12-04
2025-12-04
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Up to 11% of eligible pupils miss out on free school meals due to stigma or language barriers. In Witney, around 230 children are not registered for these benefits despite being entitled.
As many as 11% of pupils are missing out on the free school meals to which they are entitled. In my Witney constituency, that means that around 230 children from the most disadvantaged homes may be missing out on a hot, healthy meal to get them through the school day. Council pilots of auto-enrolment have been shown to be effective. If implemented nationwide, auto-enrolment would make a huge difference to struggling families and it has overwhelming support from parents, so my question to the Minister is: what is the hold-up?
We want to ensure that all families can claim the support they are entitled to, and we recognise that there is some great best practice happening around the country, so we will continue to keep the matter under review. By broadening the criteria to everyone on universal credit, it will be a lot easier for people to know that they can access free school meals. I am sure the hon. Gentleman is as excited as Government Members are for the child poverty strategy that will be published later this week.
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Assessment & feedback
The hold-up or specific reasons preventing nationwide auto-enrolment were not addressed.
Will Continue To Keep The Matter Under Review
Response accuracy