Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free School Meals: Auto-enrolment

Thursday 4 December 2025 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Charlie Maynard raised concern that 11% of pupils are not receiving free school meals they are eligible for.
  • The minister acknowledged the issue and noted that some local councils are implementing best practices.
  • The government plans to broaden eligibility criteria to include all families on universal credit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlie Maynard Lib Dem Witney
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Anna Turley (Minister without Portfolio)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The hold-up or specific reasons preventing nationwide auto-enrolment were not addressed.

How: Will Continue To Keep The Matter Under Review

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