Expansion of Free School Meals Faces Scrutiny

The UK government's plan to extend free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit by autumn 2026 is under examination.

While the initiative aims to benefit over 500,000 children and reduce child poverty by approximately 100,000, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) cautions that the initial impact may be less significant due to existing high coverage from transitional protections since 2018.

The expansion is projected to cost £250 million annually initially, with full implementation expected to reach £1 billion over three years. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also announced a review of school food standards, which have not been updated since 2013, to ensure healthier meals