House of Commons · Westminster Hall
18 March 2025 · 15 other contributors · 11,845 words
Opened by Liz Jarvis Lib Dem Eastleigh
Responding minister: Stephen Morgan
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Liz Jarvis raised concerns about free school meals in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government must urgently look at the issue of funding for free school meals and breakfast clubs and increase the threshold for eligibility from £7,400 a year after tax and benefits to £20,000.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The number of children in the UK going to school hungry is unacceptable, impacting families in Eastleigh and across the UK. The Government’s figures estimate that 4.3 million children or 30% are living in poverty, with 18.5% entitled to free school meals in Eastleigh alone but many more missing out due to strict eligibility criteria.
The hon. Member highlighted that Gattons infant school is facing a shortfall of £7,839 per year due to costs exceeding Government funding for free school meals and additional charges by caterers.
Supported the Government's initiative on free breakfast clubs but highlighted the need for wider adoption and reliable funding rather than relying on private businesses and volunteers.
Supports universal free school meals but highlights funding issues. Schools face increased costs from private caterers, teachers having to do more work for catering, break-even cost of breakfast clubs being too low for schools.
While leader of Wokingham borough council, the hon. Member ensured that free school meals were funded during school holidays for children who received them in term time. He agrees with the need to ensure children do not go hungry and are not at a disadvantage due to their background.
The hon. Member for East Hampshire acknowledged the importance of nutrition in children's development, noting that the last Government extended free school meal eligibility to over a third of children compared with one in six in 2010.
Highlighted the economic benefits of providing free school meals, citing a PwC study showing that for every £1 invested in free school meals, there is a return of £1.71 in economic growth over 20 years.
Noted that late buses prevent some children from accessing breakfast clubs, emphasizing the importance of free hot lunches for those who miss breakfast.
The report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows a dramatic increase in child poverty and destitution. The two-child benefit cap must be abolished to combat rising levels of child poverty, and universal free school meals should be implemented.
Discussed the importance of free school meals, highlighting issues in Northern Ireland where many eligible children are not claiming. Mentioned that around 11,400 children could be missing out on assistance.
The hon. Member thanked her colleague for securing the debate, noting that there is a postcode lottery regarding free school meals across different regions in the UK, and stressed the importance of addressing child hunger in one of the world's richest economies.
Urges the Government to raise the threshold for families qualifying for free school meals, scrap the two-child benefit cap and implement auto-enrolment for free school meals. Emphasises the struggles of teachers in providing these services.
The hon. Member stressed the importance of providing high-quality nutritious food for children, beyond just ensuring they are fed in sufficient quantity, to support their health outcomes and ability to learn.
Acknowledged the importance of the debate and teased her colleague about football allegiances before congratulating Liz Jarvis on securing the debate on free school meals.
Experienced youth worker and councillor notes third of children in South West Norfolk live in poverty. Food bank use increased significantly since 2010, with many families not registered for free school meals due to eligibility concerns or missed deadlines.
Discussed efforts to simplify the process of claiming free school meals and increase take-up, including through a redesigned eligibility checking service and investment in breakfast clubs.
Government Response
Stephen MorganThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
The Government is committed to tackling child poverty through a range of actions, including setting up the child poverty taskforce and investing in free breakfast clubs from April with over £30 million. The school food standards restrict unhealthy foods and ensure nutritious meals are provided. Currently, about 2.1 million disadvantaged pupils are eligible for benefits-based free meals, while all reception, year 1 and year 2 children receive universal infant free school meals. Detailed measures to boost free school meal take-up, including the redesign of an eligibility checking system, tripled funding for breakfast clubs, and continued support for local authorities in implementing data-sharing initiatives. The minister also addressed concerns about transitional protections for families moving from legacy benefits to universal credit.