Starting September 2026, all pupils in England whose families claim Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, expanding access significantly. The current threshold requires households to earn below £7,400 annually to qualify, but the new entitlement will help hundreds of thousands more children. Campaigners argue this is crucial for alleviating child poverty, with more than half a million additional children expected to benefit from free meals, potentially lifting 100,000 children out of poverty entirely. The expansion reflects ongoing advocacy for comprehensive support for disadvantaged families.
The Government's decision to extend free school meals to all pupils whose families claim Universal Credit is a significant milestone in supporting children living in poverty.
The move is expected to benefit more than half-a-million additional children, providing them with a free meal every school day and representing a major step in combating child poverty.
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