From September 2026, every child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of household income, the government has confirmed.
The announcement, made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marks a major expansion of the current scheme, which limits eligibility to families earning less than £7,400 a year after tax. The move is expected to benefit around 500,000 additional pupils and forms part of a broader government effort to tackle child poverty.
Describing the policy as “a down payment on child poverty,” Sir Keir said it was aimed at helping families most in need and ensuring children “get the best possible start in life.” He emphasised the policy’s long-term goals, stating it was “a statement of intent” focused on improving educational attainment.
The Department for Education has allocated £1 billion to fund the extension through to 2029. While details on funding sources remain pending, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson assured parents that schools would not be expected to cover the costs. She said the change would save families up to £500 per child annually and could lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
“This is my moral mission,” Phillipson told the BBC. “We know if children arrive at school ready to learn, it makes a massive difference to their outcomes. If you’re hungry, it’s really hard to concentrate.”
Labour is also reviewing the controversial two-child benefit cap, which prevents most families from claiming benefits for a third or subsequent child born after April 2017. Although a decision is not expected until the autumn, Sir Keir said the current announcement formed part of a wider strategy to address poverty.
The move was welcomed by education charities and unions. The Child Poverty Action Group called the reform “a sign of what’s to come,” while the Sutton Trust described it as a “significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom.” The Association of School and College Leaders said it was a “welcome step forward” but warned “there is much more to be done.”
Currently, approximately 2.2 million children—25.7% of pupils in England—receive free school meals. However, many eligible families miss out due to the application-based system, with no plans announced for automatic enrolment despite past recommendations from MPs.
The expansion puts England closer in line with other UK nations, such as Wales and London, where all primary school pupils already receive free meals, and Scotland, which offers meals to younger primary pupils and those on specific benefits.
A final decision on the two-child cap and other elements of the government’s child poverty strategy is expected later this year.
