More than half of parents whose children will become newly eligible for free school meals (FSM) from September are unaware of the change, according to a warning from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). The expansion, which was announced by the previous government under Sir Keir Starmer, will be overseen by Andy Burnham's administration. From September 2026, all school-aged children in households in England receiving Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will qualify for free meals.
CPAG survey reveals widespread lack of awareness
CPAG's survey found that 55 per cent of parents whose children will be newly eligible for FSM from September do not know that they will qualify. The charity also reported that eight in ten respondents said they have struggled with the costs of school meals or packed lunches. A third of parents either currently have or have had dinner money debt owed to the school during the academic year 2025/26.
Two thirds of parents have been spending £15 or more per child each week on food for the school day, with nearly one in five (17 per cent) spending over £30 per week. These figures highlight the financial pressure on families as the new eligibility rules come into effect.
Government urged to complete the job
Kate Anstey, CPAG's head of education policy, said: "Our survey shows wider eligibility for free school meals will give hard-up families some badly-needed breathing space." She added: "But September is only weeks away and our new analysis shows the DWP and DfE have left the job half done. With so many families struggling, it's on government to ensure the country's children get what little help is available."
The free school meals expansion grant provides extra funding to mainstream schools, special schools and alternative provision schools. This is intended to help with the additional costs of free meals following the expansion to FSM eligibility in England to all children in households receiving Universal Credit.
Funding period and next steps
The FSM expansion grant will provide funding for the period from September 2026 to March 2027. The government has been urged to ensure that eligible families are informed and that schools receive the necessary support to implement the changes effectively.
