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In a significant policy shift, the UK government has announced that starting September 2026, all children in England from families receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, expanding eligibility to an additional half a million students. This new measure removes the existing income threshold of £7,400 (approximately $9,430 USD) per year, allowing more children to benefit from nutritious meals at school.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that the initiative could potentially lift around 100,000 children out of poverty and save families about £500 (around $640 USD) annually. The government has allocated £1 billion (approximately $1.28 billion USD) from the Department for Education to finance this program through 2029, ensuring that schools will not have to reallocate their funds to accommodate the expansion.
Currently, approximately 2.2 million children in England, or 25.7 percent of all pupils, receive free school meals under the existing criteria, which require both Universal Credit enrollment and a household income below the specified threshold. The new policy aims to reach all children living in poverty and those at risk, addressing a critical gap in support for struggling families.
The initiative has garnered support from various advocacy and educational organizations. The Association of School and College Leaders described the policy as a welcome advancement, while the Sutton Trust highlighted its potential to eliminate hunger in classrooms.
While the announcement has been positively received, challenges remain regarding enrollment processes. Families will still need to register their children for free meals, which could pose difficulties for non-English speakers or those unfamiliar with the system. Although there are discussions about automatic enrollment, no immediate changes are planned.
Furthermore, the Labour Party is currently evaluating the broader impact of child poverty initiatives, including the potential lifting of the two-child benefit cap. Phillipson confirmed that this matter is under consideration in future spending reviews.
Overall, this policy shift marks a significant step toward addressing child poverty and inequality in education, aiming to ensure that all children, regardless of their backgrounds, arrive at school ready to learn.
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