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The number of pupils in England on free school meals has been increasing over recent years.
All pupils in England whose families are on Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals from the 2026/27 academic year. Currently, households on Universal Credit must earn below £7,400 per year (after tax and not including benefits) to qualify. However, the UK government has announced a significant change, which will benefit over 500,000 pupils.

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All pupils in England whose families are eligible for Universal Credit will be made eligible for free school meals from the 2026/27 academic year.
The UK government has banned further restrictions on Universal Credit payments, allowing more than half a million pupils to be lined up for free school meals. This intervention is part of a broader plan to tackle the historic child poverty crisis.


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The government has been under pressure to ease the cost of living crisis for those most vulnerable.
Prime Minister David Soupkin has praised the expansion of free school meals and has hinted at a historic move to break the cycle of child poverty.

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1 in 4 English pupils are eligible for free school meals as more pupils are on universal credit.
Since 2017/18, the number of pupils on free school meals in England has increased by more than 75,000. Factors like the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played a significant role in these increases.


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The government’s child poverty strategy had been due for publication in the spring but has been delayed until autumn in time for the budget.
Kate Anstey, head of education policy at the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), hopes the next £200 million budget will deliver a document outlining effective measures to reduce child poverty.

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The strategy aims to break the cycle of child poverty by providing greater access to healthy meals.
Children who are on free school meals can also join free breakfast clubs, school clubs, and other services to break the cycle of child poverty. The government’s proposal will cover over a million pupils across England.


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Other parties like the Liberal Democrats have pushed the government and said this is the ‘first step’ of the move to reduce child poverty.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), emphasized the importance of ensuring free school meals are available to all children.

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Theaging of children in families who miss out on Universal Credit means they are left dest ghoully, filled with hunger.
The government and free school meals Party (F Rosie) have called for a step change in busines to address this issue, believing it is no longer a burden on families.


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