Free school meals and EYPP are currently provided to children in England whose parents receive benefits such as working tax credit, child tax credit and income support.
The planned replacement of these benefits with Universal Credit has prompted the Government to review the system, which takes the number of hours parents worked as an eligibility measure, leaving some of the most disadvantaged low-income households without.
Under the proposals, new eligibility criteria based on net earnings will be used instead. Up to £7,400 will be allowed per household.
The Government says around 90 per cent of pupils currently eligible for free school meals will continue to be eligible. Households working relatively fewer hours but with higher incomes above the new threshold will stand to lose eligibility.
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