House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
School Food
05 June 2025 · Department for Education
Proposed by Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government to expand free school meals eligibility to all children in households receiving Universal Credit starting September 2026
- Expected outcome includes lifting 100,000 children out of poverty and saving each family about 500 annually
- School Food Standards are being revised with expert input to maintain quality and nutrition standards
Issue summary
The statement discusses an expansion of free school meals eligibility to all children from households receiving Universal Credit starting September 2026.
Action requested
The government is announcing that children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals starting September 2026, expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty and provide £500 savings per family. The School Food Standards are being revised with experts' input to ensure quality and nutrition.
Key facts
- Children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals from September 2026.
- This policy is expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
- £500 will be saved per family with this new entitlement.
- The School Food Standards are being revised with experts' input.
- Since 2018, only children from households earning less than £7,400 per year have been eligible for free school meals.
- Over £13 million is being provided to food charities across England to redistribute fresh produce.
- From April 2026 until the end of parliament, Universal Credit recipients will receive a yearly above-inflation boost.