Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department gives to state schools on the action to take when a pupil seeks to purchase a school lunch but cannot afford to pay.

As set out in Section 512 of the Education Act 1996, schools are legally required to provide food for pupils upon request. Schools are permitted to charge for any meals provided but must make these available free to those who meet the prescribed free school meal (FSM) eligibility criteria.

Section 512ZA, as amended, gives schools the freedom to offer all pupils free meals, fresh fruit, milk, or other refreshments during the school day, regardless of family income. Schools are also free to make special offers to groups of children as they judge appropriate. Further information on this legislation is available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/512/2021-12-09.

The department does not set a price for school meals, whether paid for or free. School governing boards are responsible for the provision of both free and paid for meals, and it is for them to decide on the price, depending on local circumstances.

The department understands the pressures families are facing with the cost of living. The government is providing over £15 billion in further support, targeted particularly at those in greatest need. This package is in addition to the over £22 billion announced previously. This included an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of household essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021, bringing total funding for this support to £1.5 billion.

The department will continue to keep FSM eligibility under review.