Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many eligible children are not claiming free school meals for the latest period for which data is available; and what steps she is taking to increase free school meals uptake amongst eligible children.

All children in households in receipt of Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals (FSM) from September 2026. This unprecedented step will put around £500 back into families’ pockets each year and lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty, breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling the scar of child poverty across our country.

Giving children access to a nutritious meal during the school day also leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes. This will enable children to get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life. That is why this government is taking action to make it quicker and easier for both families and local authorities to get children signed up for FSM. Improvements we are making to the process for checking eligibility for meals will make it simpler than ever to receive this entitlement.