Free school meals to be expanded to all families on Universal Credit from 2026
New move promises to save parents £500 a year and lift 100,000 children out of poverty
From 2026, all children whose families are on Universal Credit will automatically qualify for free school meals – in what’s being called a “historic” move to tackle child poverty and rising family costs.
The new entitlement, set to start at the beginning of the 2026 school year, means over half a million more children will receive a free nutritious meal every school day – saving parents around £500 per child each year.
What’s changing – and why now?
Until now, eligibility for free school meals has been limited to families earning less than £7,400 a year (after tax, and excluding benefits). But this threshold has left many children in low-income households without access to the support they need.
Under the new plans, every pupil in a household receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals – regardless of their specific income level.
The Government says the change is part of its “Plan for Change” to give every child, no matter their background, the same chance to succeed. According to the Department for Education, the expansion will lift 100,000 children out of poverty entirely.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents’ pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn."
The move comes alongside wider changes to benefit families during the cost-of-living crisis, including higher minimum wages, new childcare support, and a cap on school uniform costs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added: "It is the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty... From free school meals to free breakfast clubs, breaking the cycle of child poverty is at the heart of our Plan for Change."
What this means for families with school age kids
The new rules mean if you’re on Universal Credit, you won’t need to worry about the income cap that’s currently in place. From 2026, free school meals will be available for all children in your household, including those in school-based nurseries and further education settings.
Parents are expected to be able to apply before the start of the school year by providing their National Insurance number for eligibility checks. More guidance will be shared by local authorities and schools ahead of the rollout.
The change will also mean an easier, more streamlined process for families – especially for those juggling work and parenting under tight financial pressures.
Kate Anstey, head of education policy at Child Poverty Action Group, welcomed the news, saying: "At last more kids will get the food they need to learn and thrive and millions of parents struggling to make ends meet will get a bit of breathing space."
It's about more than just full tummies
The benefits go beyond money-saving. Research shows children who eat a proper meal at lunchtime are more likely to concentrate in lessons and perform better in school.
Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, called the move “a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom.”
"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," he added.
What other moves have been announced?
Alongside this expansion, the government is injecting more than £13 million into food charities to ensure surplus farm produce gets to families in need – including children. This Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme will help deliver fresh, nutritious ingredients that may otherwise have gone to waste.
Plus, new expert-led revisions to the School Food Standards are also on the way to ensure meals stay healthy and balanced – so parents can feel confident their children are getting the right nutrients at school.
And for families still feeling the pinch, changes to Universal Credit – including a permanent, above-inflation boost to payments starting from April 2026 – are also set to roll out.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: "By expanding Free School Meals to all families on Universal Credit, we’re ending the impossible choice thousands of our hardest grafting families must make between paying bills and feeding their children."
However critics have been quick to say that the numbers of children who will supposedly benefit won't happen for many years. Based on current data that shows 25.7% of pupils already receive free school meals, The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the expansion of school lunches "will not see anything like 100,000 children lifted out of poverty next year".
When will it happen?
The expansion will begin at the start of the 2026 school year, with early applications likely opening beforehand. Look out for more updates from your local school or council closer to the time.
Pics: Getty