The mayor of London will tomorrow announce a bold emergency package to extend free school meals to every primary school child in the capital for one year, in an effort to help poorer families through the cost of living crisis.
Sadiq Khan’s £130m scheme will fund free meals for the 270,000 state primary school children in London who do not already receive free school meals, of whom an estimated 100,000 live in poverty.
It marks a major victory for The Independent’s Feed the Future campaign, in which we called for free school meals to be extended to all schoolchildren in England – both primary and secondary – who live in households on universal credit but miss out on free school meals because their household income, excluding benefits, is over the threshold of £7,400 a year.
This low threshold applies irrespective of the number of children in a family, and is causing deep hardship among families struggling with the spiralling cost of living.
The mayor, who backed our campaign and has repeatedly called on the government to extend free school meals to all children in poverty, said his scheme would be funded out of higher-than-expected collections of business rates and council tax, and would be for the 2023-24 academic year only.
City Hall said the scheme would save families £440 per child across the year, and that it would extend to all primary school children “so as to reduce the stigma that can be associated with being singled out as low-income”. The saving of £440 per child is based on the average cost of a hot meal of £2.30 over 190 school days.
Mr Khan heavily criticised the government for its “inaction” and made it clear that it would be up to the government to step in after the scheme came to an end.
The mayor, who is scheduled to formally announce his new plan on Monday, recalled his own experience as a child who received free school meals, saying: “I know from personal experience that free school meals are a lifeline. My siblings and I depended on them while at school, and my parents relied on them to give our family a little extra breathing room financially.
“The difference they can make to children at risk of going hungry, and to families struggling to make ends meet, is game-changing. The cost of living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support.”
He added: “I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already-stretched families, but they have simply failed to act. This is why I’m stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals.”
The Independent’s campaign, in which we partnered with a consortium of groups led by charity The Food Foundation, highlighted the plight of the 800,000 children in poverty in England who are excluded from free school meals, and exposed how some hungry children were so desperate that they were stealing food from school canteens and supermarkets to eat.
Around 210,000 pupils in London – across years 3 to 11 – live in households that rely on universal credit but miss out on free school meals, according to the Child Poverty Action Group, and around half of them are expected to be covered by the mayor’s scheme.
It still leaves around 700,000 children in poverty who will not receive free school meals – including approximately 100,000 in London’s secondary schools and 600,000 outside of the capital.
Charities, union bosses and campaigners welcomed Mr Khan’s initiative.
Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, the charity for single parents, said: “The cost of living crisis has been brutal for single parents, and has meant that children have gone without basic essentials because household budgets have been stretched beyond breaking point.
“We have heard from many single parents that they have had to go without food. It will be a huge relief that their child will now be fed at school, and we welcome the mayor’s initiative.”
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said the mayor had shown the way for the government to act. “The government must now end its inaction and commit to funding free school meals for all in primary across the rest of the country, and long-term,” he said.
“This is a much-needed lifeline for families experiencing hardship following a decade of economic mismanagement from the government. It will help families navigate the cost of living crisis and ensure all children are fed during the school day. Children who have access to a healthy, hot meal every day are better able to focus, connect with their peers, and build bright futures.”
Research by accounting firm PwC published by The Independent has shown that investment in free school meals would yield a net economic benefit to society of £2.45bn over 20 years. PwC calculated that the cost would be £6.44bn over two decades, but would lead to benefits in educational attainment, mental and physical health, and productivity of £8.9bn.
Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign said: “We applaud the mayor for announcing this vital nutritional safety net for every single primary school child in London. However, healthy school food for all must not just be an emergency measure, it should be a core part of a fully inclusive education system for the long term.”
Dame Emma Thompson said: “This initiative could not be more timely. The fact that it is needed at all is testament to the damaging policies of the last 20 years. It is essential that during this year we fight for the right of our children to a proper meal at school.”
The mayor’s scheme is proposed as part of his final Budget, which will be considered by the London Assembly on 23 February.
A City Hall spokesperson said: “The final Budget takes into account that council tax and business rates returns from local authorities are higher than were forecast in the mayor’s draft Budget proposals earlier this year. This additional proposed spending is principally driven by business rates, due to the stronger economic position of central London than previously reported in prior years.”
What’s the chances the government try to veto this because “its not in line with national policy”
poor kids already get free school meals, so I wonder why he wants kids with affluent parents to get free meals – apparently paid for by people who may be also facing things like rent -increases as well as Community Charge increases – what a crazy idea all this is, I think he has lost it.
[removed]
Aren’t the poorest kids in Britain , generally , in the North and old industrial and seaside towns ?
Wales is in the process of introducing this too.
Some primary age years have them already with the rest to be rolled out by 2024.
Pretty sure this is the case in Scotland or at least up until primary 5. Sadly my kid is a picky bastard and takes a packed lunch.
In a way it would be a good idea as all children would be made to feel the same
Why just London? Families are struggling to feed kids across the country.
Schools should provide kids with free meals regardless of their parents finances, 1st would country my ass.
Honestly, I can’t disagree with this. Free breakfast clubs and school dinners at primary school level are great social levellers, and there’s a huge benefit to everyone in the class if they’re all well fed.
No wonder the countries fucked when this many small minded pos go out of their way to get angry at free food for children
I think schools should figure out a way to offer 3 nutritious meals a day to any student who wants one. 365 days a year, holidays included.
Probably impractical, but kids in a wealth country should not be going hungry. The fact that their parents can’t feed them is not their fault and should not be held against them. It would be like the NHS but for hungry children.
I was saying to someone else. Key is to get the evaluation right this making the irrefutable case to roll out across the country.
Take it away from the whole U.K only to return it for London solely?
A lot of people in here seem to think the Mayor of London is the supreme leader of the United Kingdom.
One of the biggest disgraces of this country is that kids aren’t given space to sit down eat with proper cutlery and have a decent meal. The council’s need to regain control of school catering
Ah yes, helping ease the cost burden of parenting to those poor people who choose to live in the capital and earn triple what I do…
[deleted]
Just feed the hungry children. It’s not rocket science
Parents should be the ones paying it. If your child receives free school meals then you should be required to pay more tax or do community service as the community is doing your job for you
I’m of the belief that all kids should get free lunches in schools. If the government makes it mandatory for them to be there until they are 18 at least feed them.
Plus there are a couple of positives I can think of off the top of my head:
– if all kids get it there are no more “kid who gets free meals kid” (yes a kid in my primary school was bullied for getting free meals)
– parents have to apply, not all care enough to do so. So even kids who should be getting it don’t.
– by its very nature it removes the stupid “oh you earn £1 more then threshold” rule
– no child going hungry during school
This is a great start, but it is only an emergency for a year and only covers primary schools.
I would be more then happy for my tax to pay for all kids to be fed.
No such thing as free. It is tax payer funded. £440 per child would be more efficient if the parents had a tax break for the equivalent amount. But this way it will keep sodexo afloat. So I see why they went for it.
Waht about poverty up north… disgusting its south only
Oh no.
The number of school & local authority disputes with parents over these provisions, primary school children suffering allergic reactions and lawsuits will skyrocket.
It is the role of those with parental responsibility to ensure that the primary school aged child in their care is fed. They should be the ones providing or organising the provision of an adequate regular supply of suitable daily meals. Not the school or the state.
25 comments
The mayor of London will tomorrow announce a bold emergency package to extend free school meals to every primary school child in the capital for one year, in an effort to help poorer families through the cost of living crisis.
Sadiq Khan’s £130m scheme will fund free meals for the 270,000 state primary school children in London who do not already receive free school meals, of whom an estimated 100,000 live in poverty.
It marks a major victory for The Independent’s Feed the Future campaign, in which we called for free school meals to be extended to all schoolchildren in England – both primary and secondary – who live in households on universal credit but miss out on free school meals because their household income, excluding benefits, is over the threshold of £7,400 a year.
This low threshold applies irrespective of the number of children in a family, and is causing deep hardship among families struggling with the spiralling cost of living.
The mayor, who backed our campaign and has repeatedly called on the government to extend free school meals to all children in poverty, said his scheme would be funded out of higher-than-expected collections of business rates and council tax, and would be for the 2023-24 academic year only.
City Hall said the scheme would save families £440 per child across the year, and that it would extend to all primary school children “so as to reduce the stigma that can be associated with being singled out as low-income”. The saving of £440 per child is based on the average cost of a hot meal of £2.30 over 190 school days.
Mr Khan heavily criticised the government for its “inaction” and made it clear that it would be up to the government to step in after the scheme came to an end.
The mayor, who is scheduled to formally announce his new plan on Monday, recalled his own experience as a child who received free school meals, saying: “I know from personal experience that free school meals are a lifeline. My siblings and I depended on them while at school, and my parents relied on them to give our family a little extra breathing room financially.
“The difference they can make to children at risk of going hungry, and to families struggling to make ends meet, is game-changing. The cost of living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support.”
He added: “I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already-stretched families, but they have simply failed to act. This is why I’m stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals.”
The Independent’s campaign, in which we partnered with a consortium of groups led by charity The Food Foundation, highlighted the plight of the 800,000 children in poverty in England who are excluded from free school meals, and exposed how some hungry children were so desperate that they were stealing food from school canteens and supermarkets to eat.
Around 210,000 pupils in London – across years 3 to 11 – live in households that rely on universal credit but miss out on free school meals, according to the Child Poverty Action Group, and around half of them are expected to be covered by the mayor’s scheme.
It still leaves around 700,000 children in poverty who will not receive free school meals – including approximately 100,000 in London’s secondary schools and 600,000 outside of the capital.
Charities, union bosses and campaigners welcomed Mr Khan’s initiative.
Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, the charity for single parents, said: “The cost of living crisis has been brutal for single parents, and has meant that children have gone without basic essentials because household budgets have been stretched beyond breaking point.
“We have heard from many single parents that they have had to go without food. It will be a huge relief that their child will now be fed at school, and we welcome the mayor’s initiative.”
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said the mayor had shown the way for the government to act. “The government must now end its inaction and commit to funding free school meals for all in primary across the rest of the country, and long-term,” he said.
“This is a much-needed lifeline for families experiencing hardship following a decade of economic mismanagement from the government. It will help families navigate the cost of living crisis and ensure all children are fed during the school day. Children who have access to a healthy, hot meal every day are better able to focus, connect with their peers, and build bright futures.”
Research by accounting firm PwC published by The Independent has shown that investment in free school meals would yield a net economic benefit to society of £2.45bn over 20 years. PwC calculated that the cost would be £6.44bn over two decades, but would lead to benefits in educational attainment, mental and physical health, and productivity of £8.9bn.
Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign said: “We applaud the mayor for announcing this vital nutritional safety net for every single primary school child in London. However, healthy school food for all must not just be an emergency measure, it should be a core part of a fully inclusive education system for the long term.”
Dame Emma Thompson said: “This initiative could not be more timely. The fact that it is needed at all is testament to the damaging policies of the last 20 years. It is essential that during this year we fight for the right of our children to a proper meal at school.”
The mayor’s scheme is proposed as part of his final Budget, which will be considered by the London Assembly on 23 February.
A City Hall spokesperson said: “The final Budget takes into account that council tax and business rates returns from local authorities are higher than were forecast in the mayor’s draft Budget proposals earlier this year. This additional proposed spending is principally driven by business rates, due to the stronger economic position of central London than previously reported in prior years.”
What’s the chances the government try to veto this because “its not in line with national policy”
poor kids already get free school meals, so I wonder why he wants kids with affluent parents to get free meals – apparently paid for by people who may be also facing things like rent -increases as well as Community Charge increases – what a crazy idea all this is, I think he has lost it.
[removed]
Aren’t the poorest kids in Britain , generally , in the North and old industrial and seaside towns ?
Wales is in the process of introducing this too.
Some primary age years have them already with the rest to be rolled out by 2024.
Pretty sure this is the case in Scotland or at least up until primary 5. Sadly my kid is a picky bastard and takes a packed lunch.
In a way it would be a good idea as all children would be made to feel the same
Why just London? Families are struggling to feed kids across the country.
Schools should provide kids with free meals regardless of their parents finances, 1st would country my ass.
Honestly, I can’t disagree with this. Free breakfast clubs and school dinners at primary school level are great social levellers, and there’s a huge benefit to everyone in the class if they’re all well fed.
No wonder the countries fucked when this many small minded pos go out of their way to get angry at free food for children
I think schools should figure out a way to offer 3 nutritious meals a day to any student who wants one. 365 days a year, holidays included.
Probably impractical, but kids in a wealth country should not be going hungry. The fact that their parents can’t feed them is not their fault and should not be held against them. It would be like the NHS but for hungry children.
I was saying to someone else. Key is to get the evaluation right this making the irrefutable case to roll out across the country.
Take it away from the whole U.K only to return it for London solely?
A lot of people in here seem to think the Mayor of London is the supreme leader of the United Kingdom.
One of the biggest disgraces of this country is that kids aren’t given space to sit down eat with proper cutlery and have a decent meal. The council’s need to regain control of school catering
Ah yes, helping ease the cost burden of parenting to those poor people who choose to live in the capital and earn triple what I do…
[deleted]
Just feed the hungry children. It’s not rocket science
Parents should be the ones paying it. If your child receives free school meals then you should be required to pay more tax or do community service as the community is doing your job for you
I’m of the belief that all kids should get free lunches in schools. If the government makes it mandatory for them to be there until they are 18 at least feed them.
Plus there are a couple of positives I can think of off the top of my head:
– if all kids get it there are no more “kid who gets free meals kid” (yes a kid in my primary school was bullied for getting free meals)
– parents have to apply, not all care enough to do so. So even kids who should be getting it don’t.
– by its very nature it removes the stupid “oh you earn £1 more then threshold” rule
– no child going hungry during school
This is a great start, but it is only an emergency for a year and only covers primary schools.
I would be more then happy for my tax to pay for all kids to be fed.
No such thing as free. It is tax payer funded. £440 per child would be more efficient if the parents had a tax break for the equivalent amount. But this way it will keep sodexo afloat. So I see why they went for it.
Waht about poverty up north… disgusting its south only
Oh no.
The number of school & local authority disputes with parents over these provisions, primary school children suffering allergic reactions and lawsuits will skyrocket.
It is the role of those with parental responsibility to ensure that the primary school aged child in their care is fed. They should be the ones providing or organising the provision of an adequate regular supply of suitable daily meals. Not the school or the state.