What's happened
The UK government plans to expand free school meals to all children in Universal Credit households from September 2026, potentially benefiting 500,000 children. However, many children in early years settings and childcare will miss out due to limited eligibility, raising concerns over disparities and implementation gaps amid rising child poverty.
What's behind the headline?
The expansion of free school meals to all Universal Credit households will likely reduce child hunger and poverty, especially for older children in maintained schools. However, the policy's focus on school-age children neglects early years and childcare settings, where the majority of disadvantaged children are cared for. This creates a stark disparity, as only 4% of children in formal childcare will benefit from free meals, compared to nearly 30% in schools. The report highlights that many nurseries and childcare providers are feeding eligible children out of their own budgets, risking sector sustainability amid funding shortfalls. The government’s reliance on eligibility checks and registration processes further complicates access, risking administrative barriers that prevent children from receiving support. Experts advocate for automatic registration and broader eligibility to ensure equitable access. The policy's success depends on addressing these implementation gaps and ensuring that support reaches all children in need, not just those in formal school settings.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that despite the planned expansion, around 290,000 children under five will miss out on free meals due to limited eligibility in early years settings, creating disparities across childcare providers. The report emphasizes that nurseries often feed eligible children out of their own funds, risking financial strain on providers. Meanwhile, The Mirror highlights that the policy will benefit approximately 500,000 additional children, with some families saving up to £500 annually. Both sources agree that the policy aims to reduce child poverty but differ in focus: The Independent stresses the gaps in early years and childcare, while The Mirror emphasizes the potential benefits for families and the need for streamlined registration processes. Experts and MPs from both outlets call for reforms to ensure all eligible children receive support, warning that current systems risk leaving many behind.
How we got here
The UK government announced plans to extend free school meals to all children in households claiming Universal Credit, starting September 2026. This follows ongoing efforts to combat child poverty, which has increased significantly in recent years, with over 4.5 million children living in poverty as of 2024. Current policies restrict free meals to certain age groups and income thresholds, leaving many vulnerable children without support. The expansion aims to address these gaps but faces criticism over limited coverage in early years and childcare settings, where many children will still miss out.
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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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Universal Credit is a United Kingdom social security payment. It is replacing and combining six benefits for working-age people who have a low household income: income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and Income