The Government has announced that eligibility for free school meals (FSM) will be expanded to cover all children living in households that receive Universal Credit.

We’ve been calling for this policy for a number of years, emphasising the need to widen FSM access in several pieces of research and various blogs. The recommendation was included in our 2022 polling of teachers during the cost of living crisis, our General Election briefing on closing the attainment gap, and our manifesto to improve social mobility.

In response to the announcement, Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, said:

“This is a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom. Children can’t learn effectively when hungry, so this announcement not only helps to tackle the effects of child poverty, but will also likely help improve education outcomes for disadvantaged young people.

“Giving free school meals to all families who are eligible for Universal Credit is also easier for parents to understand, so has the potential to increase take up rates. This is an important milestone in delivering on the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.”