Eligible children missing out on free school meals

Leeds has seen a 58% increase in the number of children eligible for free school meals between 2015-16 and 2022-23, according to Gov.uk data.

However, despite the large increase in eligibility, many children are missing out on the opportunity to claim free lunches.

On a national scale, the schools, pupils and their characteristics statistics shows 23.8% of England’s school population are now eligible for free lunches as a result of their family income.

According to Gov.uk, children whose parent or guardian are on benefits or earning an income lower than £7,400 can be eligible for free school meals.

However, a report published by the Child Poverty Action Group in June 2022 found that 1 in 3 school children living in poverty in England miss out on free school meals despite their families struggling to meet the demands the cost of living crisis presents.

Rebecca Simpson, Office and Finance Manager at We Are Queensbury foodbank, said: “Many food bank users are entitled to free school meals, however, we have many that work and are not entitled so then have to find the food for packed lunches. We have more children who aren’t entitled to free school meals than are.”

According to the Child Poverty Action Group, the main cause for children missing out on free school meals is due to restrictive eligibility criteria and lack of universal provision.

Kate Anstey, head of the UK Cost of the School Day programme at Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Food is vital to children’s health, wellbeing and learning, and the government cannot continue to stand by while children in poverty go hungry at lunchtime. No other part of the school day is means-tested in this way – universal free school meals should simply be a fundamental part of going to school.”

The Department for Education said the increase in the number of eligible children could be related to the arrangements the government put in place when transitioning people from the previous benefits system to universal credit.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies said: “While the evidence for health benefits is mixed (though generally positive outside the United States), there is a fairly strong evidence base suggesting that children who receive free school meals benefit academically.”

Data from the Child Poverty Action Group found there were 4.2 million children living in poverty in the UK in 2021-22, which is approximately 29% of children. 

Simpson said: “The cost of food and bills needs to be reduced but also working families need more financial support from the government.”

An NEU spokesperson said: “The universal entitlement to free school meals in primary schools may also be an important lever to tackle stigma, reduce parents’ anxiety, improve relationships between schools and parents, and offer children a rich and inclusive educational experience. It’s an experience we should aspire to for every child.”