The UK government has announced that from September 2026, all children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals, regardless of household income. This change, funded with £1bn, is expected to make 500,000 more pupils eligible, save parents £500 annually, and lift 100,000 children out of poverty. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed it as a significant step to tackle child poverty, though the Labour government still faces scrutiny over the two-child benefit cap. The announcement has been widely welcomed by anti-poverty campaigners and education unions.
Free school meal rule change to make 500,000 more pupils eligible
PovertySchoolsSchool meals
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The UK government has announced that from September 2026, all children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals, regardless of household income. This change, funded with £1bn, is expected to make 500,000 more pupils eligible, save parents £500 annually, and lift 100,000 children out of poverty. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed it as a significant step to tackle child poverty, though the Labour government still faces scrutiny over the two-child benefit cap. The announcement has been widely welcomed by anti-poverty campaigners and education unions.
Trending- 1 January 2024: Nearly 2.1 million pupils eligible for free school meals in England.
- 2 February: MPs on cross-party education committee call for auto-enrollment for free school meals.
- 3 Last week: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says government looking at scrapping two-child benefit cap.
- 4 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer discusses child poverty.
- 5 Recently: Government announces free school meal rule change.
- 6 Next week: Spending review (charities call for cap abolition).
- 7 Autumn: Government expected to announce decision on two-child benefit cap, publishes child poverty strategy.
- 8 September 2026: New free school meal rules implemented.
- 500,000 more pupils eligible for free school meals
- Parents save £500/year
- 100,000 children lifted out of poverty
- £1bn funding allocated
- £13m pledged to food charities
- Continued debate over the two-child benefit cap
What: The government is changing free school meal rules to make 500,000 more pupils eligible.
When: Announced recently (article published June 4, 2025). Changes to be implemented from September 2026. Funded up to 2029. Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
Where: England, UK. Also mentions London, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland for comparison.
Why: To tackle child poverty, put more money in parents' pockets, and set children up to learn effectively.
How: By removing the household income threshold (£7,400/year) for families receiving Universal Credit, making all children in such families eligible. The Department for Education has set aside £1bn for funding.