Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to expand the eligibility criteria for free school meals to all children whose parents are on universal credit.

Eligibility for free school meals (FSM) has been extended several times. Under the benefits-based criteria, 1.7 million of the most disadvantaged pupils are eligible for and claiming FSM, which saves families around £400 per year. The government spends around £600 million per year ensuring an additional 1.3 million infants enjoy a free, healthy and nutritious meal at lunchtime following the introduction of the Universal Infant FSM policy in 2014.

We think it is important that FSM support is targeted at those that need it most, and FSM is an integral part of our provision for families on low incomes, and our wider actions to promote social mobility.

In 2018, the government introduced new eligibility criteria for families on Universal Credit, following a consultation in 2017. It is estimated that this will be more generous in its reach by 2022, in comparison to the legacy benefit system. Further to this we included generous protections, which mean any family eligible for FSM transitioning to Universal Credit from a legacy benefit will continue to have access to FSM even if they move above the earnings threshold.

The government will publish a Food Strategy in early 2022. This will consider the evidence of Henry Dimbleby’s review of the food system and build on existing work across government to identify new opportunities to make the food system healthier, more sustainable, more resilient, and more accessible for those across the UK.