US$177.7M London universal free school food program extended for another year

10 Jan 2024 --- The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will extend the funding of a universal free school meals policy for state primary school children in the upcoming academic year (2024/2025), starting in September this year. This would save families up to £1,000 (US$1,269) per child over the two years, reduce stigma for those who receive meals and improve nutrition and school engagement. 

For the program extension, the Mayor will spend £140 million (US$177.7 million) of his budget to help hundreds of thousands of children who do not qualify for government help receive meals for another year.

“Delivering free school meals has been one of my proudest moments as Mayor as I have seen the difference it has made to the children receiving them and their families. I am thrilled to announce my intention to extend this lifeline for families for yet another year,” says Khan.

“I know from personal experience what a difference these meals can make, and it’s been fantastic to hear from teachers how much better children are performing and also how much parents and their children have benefited, with parents not having to worry about how to provide their children with a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.” 

Program extension 
This school year is the first time free school meals have been available to all primary-aged kids in state-funded schools, special schools and pupil referral units in London. 

Between September and Christmas, this £135 million (US$171.6 million) program has funded over 17 million meals, helping up to 287,000 children daily. 

The charity organization School Food Matters welcomes the program’s extension. Its founder and chief executive, Stephanie Slater, adds: “This bold policy provides a vital safety net for the capital’s families and gives so many children the nutrition they need to thrive. It’s time for national leaders to step up and follow suit so that every child can enjoy nutritious and delicious school food, regardless of their postcode or parents’ pay packet.”

The program’s proposed extension also covers a funding increase of 18.5% per meal, offering £3 (US$3.81) per meal to deliver them from September. 

School meal benefits 
Free school meals for children have been linked to many benefits. For example, a report by the Child Action Group and the National Education Union indicates that the policy improves financial and psychological security for parents, improves nutrition and school engagement with an improvement concentration from pupils and reduces stigma for kids who would get means-tested meals. 

Moreover, the report notes that universal free school meals improve schools’ relationships with families as they don’t need to collect lunch money, change eating habits as children try new foods and help create a more prosperous school life as parents can invest in extra-curricular activities. 

Universal free school meals are linked to improved nutrition, engagement and reducing stigma for kids who get means-tested meals.Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver applauds the extension. “Not only will it help families make ends meet, but evidence proves that children having access to delicious, nutritious food at school is the foundation of their well-being and educational success. It’s more than just nourishing their bodies — a fundamental support system significantly impacting their future.”

There is also strong support among UK voters to extend free school meals to more children. 

A City Hall-commissioned polling from YouGov indicates that 92% of parents whose kids have access to school meals support universal free school meals as the meals save them time (71%), are healthy (62%) and are free (62%). 

Cost-of-living crisis 
Another YouGov poll finds that 35% of parents or carers with kids under 18 buy less food and essentials, with 41% using less water, energy or fuel to cope with living costs. Moreover, 30% of respondents say they are “financially struggling.” 

Previously, children in Years 3 to 6 in primary school only received free school meals if their household earned less than £7,400 (US$9,406) per year after tax, not including benefits. 

The free school meal funding is part of the Mayor’s program to support Londoners with the cost-of-living crisis. Khan is also investing in building affordable homes, skills and employment programs to help people find secure work, connecting them to welfare advice, supporting private renters and tackling food insecurity. 

“Sadly, Londoners continue to struggle with the cost-of-living crisis, and with the government failing to step forward to deliver these meals, we have worked hard to find the money to provide this vital funding for the next academic year,” says Khan.

“I will continue to do all I can to help families cope with the cost-of-living crisis as we build a fairer and more prosperous London for all.”

By Jolanda van Hal