What's happened
The UK government plans to expand free school meals eligibility to all children in households receiving Universal Credit starting September 2026. This initiative aims to support over 500,000 children and alleviate child hunger amid rising living costs. The Education Policy Institute calls for a national auto-enrolment system to ensure all eligible families are registered.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of the Expansion
- Widening Access: The expansion of free school meals to all children in Universal Credit households is a significant step towards reducing child hunger and educational inequality.
- Auto-Enrolment Necessity: The Education Policy Institute emphasizes the need for a national auto-enrolment system to eliminate barriers that prevent eligible families from registering. Language barriers, stigma, and varying local authority practices contribute to the issue.
- Political Context: This initiative comes amid rising child poverty rates and increasing scrutiny of government welfare policies. The Labour Party's push for broader eligibility reflects a growing consensus on the need for systemic change in child welfare.
- Future Considerations: If implemented effectively, this policy could improve educational outcomes and overall well-being for disadvantaged children, but it requires robust support systems to ensure all eligible children benefit.
What the papers say
The Mirror highlights Prime Minister Keir Starmer's commitment to ensuring every child has access to free meals, stating, "My government will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to give every child the best start in life." Meanwhile, The Independent reports on the Education Policy Institute's call for auto-enrolment, noting that without it, many children may still miss out on meals they are entitled to. Dr. Kerris Cooper from EPI stresses that barriers such as language and stigma hinder access, emphasizing the need for a national system to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. Campaigners view the expansion as a 'game changer' for families struggling with the cost of living, with the Child Poverty Action Group stating it will provide essential support to those in need.
How we got here
The announcement follows a campaign led by the Mirror and increasing pressure on the government to address child poverty. Currently, only children from households earning below £7,400 annually qualify for free meals. The expansion is expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
Go deeper
- What are the eligibility criteria for free school meals?
- How will the auto-enrolment system work?
- What impact will this have on child poverty rates?
Common question
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Who Qualifies for the New Free School Meals Program in England?
The recent announcement about the expansion of free school meals in England has raised many questions. Starting in the 2026 school year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free meals. This change aims to combat child poverty and support families facing food insecurity. Here’s what you need to know about the program and its implications.
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Who Will Benefit from the Free School Meals Expansion in 2026?
The recent announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the expansion of free school meals has raised many questions. This initiative aims to support families facing financial challenges and alleviate child hunger. Here’s what you need to know about who will benefit and how this program will impact families across England.
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Who Will Benefit from the Free School Meals Expansion in 2026?
The recent announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the expansion of free school meals has raised many questions. This initiative aims to support families facing financial difficulties and combat child hunger. Below, we explore who will benefit from this program and its broader implications.
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What changes are being made to free school meals in the UK?
The UK government is set to expand free school meals eligibility to all children in households receiving Universal Credit starting September 2026. This initiative aims to support over 500,000 children and tackle child hunger amid rising living costs. But what does this mean for families and how can they ensure they benefit from this program? Here are some common questions and answers regarding this significant policy change.
More on these topics
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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The National Education Union is a trade union in the United Kingdom for school teachers, further education lecturers, education support staff and teaching assistants.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Bridget Maeve Phillipson is a British Labour Party politician who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South.
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The Sutton Trust is an educational charity in the United Kingdom which aims to improve social mobility and address educational disadvantage.
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James Gordon Brown HonFRSE is a British politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997 to 2007.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
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The Education Policy Institute is an education policy think tank that aims to promote high quality education outcomes through research and analysis. It is based at 150 Buckingham Palace Road, in central London.