A recent poll indicates that nearly 89% of parents with children in primary school in England are in favor of expanding free school meals to all primary school students. Specifically, 57% believe that providing free hot lunches would positively impact their family’s financial situation. The survey also highlighted that about 31% of parents have had to compromise on the quantity and quality of their groceries since the school year began in September.
Within this group, 64% have reduced their consumption of red meat, while 27% have cut back on purchases of cheese, eggs, or dairy products, and a similar percentage have limited their intake of fresh vegetables. The Mirror, in collaboration with the National Education Union (NEU) and YouGov, has been advocating for free school meals for all primary students for some time.
As a significant development stemming from this advocacy, free hot lunches will be available to all children in families receiving universal credit starting in September, benefiting over 500,000 children. However, the NEU cautions that means-testing may exclude certain children and families. The survey revealed that 56% of parents not on universal credit believe that free school meals for all would positively impact their finances, while 44% feel it would benefit their mental well-being.
Among parents not on universal credit, 28% are reducing the variety of their weekly food shopping, and 27% are cutting back on the quantity of groceries they purchase. Additionally, 16% of parents who do not receive universal credit have had to reduce or halt out-of-school activities. Wales extended free school meals to all primary school children in 2024, following London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s similar initiative.
The government is currently implementing free breakfast clubs for all primary school children and has proposed new school lunch standards to eliminate deep-fried foods and high-sugar items like ice cream, waffles, and sugary beverages. Despite these efforts, unions and school leaders continue to advocate for a free midday meal to support children’s well-being and learning and to alleviate financial burdens on families.
Daniel Kebede, the NEU’s general secretary, emphasized the ongoing challenges families face with the cost of living and the importance of ensuring access to food. Frank Young, CEO of ParentKind, noted the difficulties parents encounter in preparing nutritious packed lunches daily and endorsed extending free school meals to all primary school children to alleviate these pressures.
A spokesperson from the Department for Education highlighted the government’s commitment to reducing financial barriers for families through initiatives like funded childcare and free breakfast clubs. The introduction of free school meals for all children from households receiving Universal Credit is seen as a significant step towards lifting children out of poverty.
The government aims to uplift a record number of children out of poverty by the end of parliament through various measures outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy. The survey conducted by YouGov for the NEU involved 2,106 parents with primary school-aged children in England between March 19 and 31.