In short, yes – some children in the UK do get free school meals. The eligibility criteria varies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but generally includes children from households on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits.
What are the eligibility criteria for free school meals?
The eligibility criteria for free school meals are different across the four nations of the UK.
England
In England, children are entitled to receive free school meals if their parents or guardians receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Children who receive any of these benefits in their own right (i.e. they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals.
Scotland
In Scotland, children can get free school meals if you or your child gets any of these benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £16,105
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income under £7,330
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with a monthly earned income of £610 or less
Wales
In Wales, children can get free school meals if their parents or guardians receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, provided your annual household income is less than £16,190 and you are NOT receiving Working Tax Credit
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit – your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, free school meals are available to children from families who receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit and have an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less
- Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding £14,000
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
How does the application process work?
The process for applying for free school meals is straightforward. Parents or guardians should contact their child’s school directly and ask for an application form. They will need to provide evidence that they are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits.
Schools will then check eligibility and confirm whether the application has been successful. If approved, the school will ensure a free meal is provided at lunchtime each day.
What meals do children get?
What meals children get can vary between schools. However, they will usually get a main hot meal and a dessert, in line with standard school lunch menus. There are guidelines requiring meals to be nutritious and meet dietary standards set by the government.
Some examples of typical free school meals include:
- Main course – such as pizza, macaroni cheese, sausage and mash, cottage pie etc.
- Vegetarian options – such as vegetable curry, falafel wrap, cheese and tomato pasta etc.
- Dessert – such as yogurt, fruit, cake, biscuit etc.
- Drink – varied, including fruit juice, milk, water
Schools must provide free tap water at all times, so children can have as much water as they want with their meal.
How many children get free meals?
Across the UK in 2021, the numbers of children getting free school meals were:
| Country | Children receiving free school meals |
|---|---|
| England | 1.74 million |
| Scotland | 279,000 |
| Wales | 193,000 |
| Northern Ireland | 115,000 |
So in total around 2.33 million children got free school meals across the UK in 2021.
What are the benefits of free school meals?
There are several benefits of providing free school meals to children from low-income families:
- Improved nutrition – ensures children get a healthy, balanced meal during the day.
- Better concentration – removes hunger as a distraction, helping behavioral and educational outcomes.
- Financial support – provides a cost saving for families struggling on low incomes.
- Social benefits – gives children the same eating opportunities as their peers.
Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that free school meal eligibility is linked to improved student progress and attainment. Children were found to do better in English and Maths tests at ages 7 and 11.
When did free school meals start?
Free school meals first started in Britain in the early 20th century, introduced by local education authorities. By 1940, 10% of pupils were receiving free meals. The current legal framework requiring meals to be provided dates back to the Education Act of 1944.
The eligibility criteria has evolved over time. Free meals were originally restricted to families who were unemployed. The criteria widened in 1968 to include low income working families. Further expansions occurred in the 1980s and 2000s.
How are free school meals funded?
Free school meals are funded by national and local government. The funding formulas are complex but ultimately depend on treasury grants and school budgets determined by central government.
Local authorities receive an annual education grant from central government which incorporates funding for free school meals. This is allocated to schools according to the number of eligible pupils.
Schools can also use their own budgets to cover the costs. The average annual cost of providing a free meal per pupil is estimated at £450.
Are free school meals universal in any parts of the UK?
Currently most parts of the UK restrict free school meals to low income families. However, Scotland has been trialling universal free school meals since 2017.
Children in the first three years of primary school (P1-P3) currently qualify for free meals regardless of family income. The Scottish government has committed to extending this to all primary school children by August 2022.
Wales also has a phased plan to introduce universal free primary school meals. Children in reception class and years 1 and 2 get meals regardless of income. This will expand to include all primary years by 2024.
Are there any controversies around free school meals?
Free school meals are generally accepted as a positive policy. But there are some ongoing issues and debates, including:
- Intermittent calls from campaigners to extend eligibility to a wider range of families who are struggling financially.
- Stigma – some children may feel embarrassed to be seen getting free meals.
- Nutritional standards – concerns are sometimes raised over salt, sugar and fat content.
- Universal credit changes – thresholds have reduced eligibility, reversing previous expansions.
Despite the criticisms, overall free school meals remain a vital lifeline for children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, free school meals are available to children from low-income families across the UK, with around 2.3 million children currently benefiting. Eligibility criteria varies but generally includes those on benefits or very low incomes. The meals provided offer nutritional and financial support, with evidence showing they boost children’s educational attainment. While not yet universal, initiatives in Scotland and Wales are expanding access.