Question to the Department for Education:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment of revising the income-based eligibility threshold for the (1) 15-hour childcare offer for two year olds, (2) the Healthy Start Scheme, and (3) free school meals.
At present, we do not plan to revise the income thresholds for the 15-hour childcare for two-year-olds. The national eligibility criteria aims to support the most disadvantaged children. It is right to target the support based on evidence of which children stand to benefit the most but are least likely to be accessing a place.
The Healthy Start Scheme is the responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Care.
Free school meal eligibility is kept under review ensuring that these meals are supporting those who most need them.