Free school meals change from September - survey shows big impact on children and families

Cost of living measure set to help tackle hunger during the school day
Parents anticipate improvements in children’s health and family wellbeing

With at least 500,000 additional children in England due to become newly eligible for free school meals (FSM) in September, a new survey shows the big difference wider eligibility will make to qualifying families, with expected gains ranging from a drop in household debt to less hunger and more money to spend on things like food at home, trips and clubs for kids. After a challenging summer for many families and continued rising costs, the change is set to provide some respite for qualifying parents.

The survey found:

60% said their new eligibility for FSM would help their children’s health
53% said their new eligibility would help their kids worry less about food at school 
52% said their new eligibility would help their children with learning 
60% of parents said their new eligibility would help with household debts

44% said the money saved would go on household bills, more food at home or essential clothing for children. Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) polled parents whose children were not eligible for FSM under the previous restrictive criteria but under the new criteria will be. Parents were asked what the impact had been on their children and their family finances when having to find money for school or packed lunches during the previous academic year (25/26): 

70% said the costs of packed or paid-for lunches had meant they were worried they couldn’t afford other things like school trips or clubs for children
40% of parents said their children were hungry during the school day
33% said their children worried about food during school
1 in 4 (27%) said their children’s learning was held back by what they ate at school
66% said their new eligibility would help with stress and worry at home

Commenting on the expanded eligibility, Head of education policy at Child Poverty Action Group Kate Anstey said:

'Ring the bell for this school year – it’s one to celebrate as more kids get free meals to fuel them through the day. Children in hard-up families will get the food they need to learn and thrive and there will be a little more money at home – for parents it’s a bit of all-important breathing space. Government must build on these gains by tackling living costs and further investing in children and their futures in the forthcoming Budget.'

Quotes from parents who will newly qualify:

‘There have been times where I have been thinking at the beginning of the week how am I going to afford it [school food] for next week? The last two weeks of the month, that does stress me out […] Hopefully with this [free school meals] things will get better, and I’ll be a lot happier because I do stress a lot and it's not fair because then the children notice that I'm stressed and it is always to do with money, always.’ Newly eligible Parent

‘I feel like I'll be able to keep up with my bills more [when we get free school meals], but the last few years have put me that much into debt. It's going to take a long time to clear. I don't think it's going to be a fast thing, but it is a step in the right direction.’ Newly eligible Parent

Quotes from young people:

'The best part of having a free school meal is that you don't need to think about it at school and it means some people who miss breakfast will still have a meal. The expansion erases the stigma of means-testing and puts students on an equal footing.' CPAG Youth Panel member

'This change will have a massive impact on students' lives. No longer will children go hungry at school and feel embarrassed or ashamed of their background.' Kelly, CPAG Youth Panel member

'This change is a win for young people who have had to deal with the stress of not knowing when their next meal might be or the worry that people might judge them. Lunchtime is a time for students to come together and bond. Having these free school meals means those affected can spend less time worrying about what they're going to eat or who might judge them and more time building friendships and taking a break from stress.' Julie, CPAG Youth Panel member

Notes to editors:

More than 100 organisations working in schools and with children have today published a joint statement supporting the expansion of free school meals eligibility. The signatories – including the Association for School Colleges and Leaders (ASCL), The National Governance Association, the National Association of Head teachers (NAHT), School Food Matters and Sustain – say: 'For too long, school food has been a source of stress for lower-income households, with parents unable to afford adequate food and children distracted by hunger during lessons… We commend the government on this substantive change that will be felt in classrooms and households across England, igniting children’s learning and giving parents welcome breathing space, saving them around £500 per year.' The full statement is HERE

In June 2025, the government announced the expansion of FSM eligibility to all school-aged children in households in England in receipt of universal credit with effect from September 2026.  

Infants (Pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) are guaranteed a FSM but for older children until the expansion of eligibility (effective from September 2026) FSM were only available to families whose pre-benefit/post-tax income was less than £7,400 per annum or families who qualified because of transitional protections put in place during the universal credit roll out.  

Survey methodology: Between 26 June and 23 August Survation carried out an online survey of 200 parents in England aged 18+ on universal credit whose children are currently ineligible for free school meals but will qualify for free school meals from September onwards as part of the government’s expansion.

29% of parents who responded had until now paid for their child to have school lunches, 40% had paid for packed lunches and 31% sometimes paid for packed lunches and sometimes school meals.

CPAG press contact: Jane Ahrends 07816 909302