The analysis by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Covid Realities [a research project led by the universities of York and Birmingham] finds that ‘restrictive’ eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSMs) means that many children in poverty are prevented from accessing any form of free school meal provision.
All school children receive free school meals up to Year 2 in England, after which the benefit is means tested.
Families in receipt of universal credit in England and Wales are eligible for the means-tested scheme if they earn less than £7,400 a year. In Scotland, they must earn less than £7,320, while in Northern Ireland, the threshold is higher at £14,000.
CPAG and Covid Realities say that the low-income thresholds mean that many children from working families are in poverty, but unable to access FSM.
They estimate in Wales that 42 per cent (55,000) of children in poverty are missing out on the scheme, 37 per cent of children (900,000) in England, 17 per cent (25,000) of children in Scotland and 22 per cent (20,000) in Northern Ireland.
Low-income parents participating in the Covid Realities research project shared their experiences of FSM to inform the report. Those in receipt of the benefit said that it made a ‘huge difference’ to family life. Those whose children did not receive FSM highlighted barriers to eligibility including being in receipt of working tax credit.
CPAG and Covid Realities are making an ‘urgent call’ to extend means-tested FSMs to everyone on universal credit or equivalent benefits. CPAG estimates this would cost £700 million per year.
They also recommend a move towards making the scheme universal for all children in the UK to increase take-up and reduce stigma – at an estimated cost of £1.75 billion. As a smaller step towards that, they suggest following in the Scottish government’s footsteps and making school meals free for all primary pupils in the UK.
'These meals can make a huge difference to struggling families'
Kate Anstey from the Child Poverty Action Group said, ‘It should be an outrage that so many children in poverty aren’t allowed a free school meal. We know what a huge difference these meals can make to struggling families who are at their wits’ end. It’s high time we gave them one less thing to worry about – that’s why we’re calling for urgent changes to the rules so all families on a low income can get this daily support.’
Emma, a Covid Realities participant, commented, ‘My son was entitled to free school meals as he was in the age bracket for it [to qualify for universal infant FSM in England]. Now he’s older he won’t be getting free school meals so that is extra expenses I need to find on top of a new school uniform and two other children also starting nursery for the first time. We won’t receive free school meals because of our income, yet we are classed as on a low -income. It doesn’t make sense to me at all.
A Government spokesperson said, 'Throughout the pandemic schools provided free school meals for eligible pupils, including while they were learning remotely. With pupils and students returning to face-face-education, normal school meal provision has resumed, and we have been clear we will continue to support eligible pupils during the school term.
'Outside of term-time, families in England have benefited from additional support for food and utilities, and from our expanded Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which has provided healthy food and enriching activities to thousands of disadvantaged children this year – including over the summer holidays.'
- The report, 'Fixing Lunch: the case for expanding free school meals', is available here