5th June 2025
The government announced today that from September 2026, any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be able to claim free school meals. This is expected to reach an additional 500,000 children. Reacting to the news, The Felix Project CEO, Charlotte Hill said:
"The Felix Project welcomes the news that the Labour Government is going to extend the eligibility of free school meals to all children in England, who live in families that receive Universal Credit. We know there are so many parents struggling to afford to feed their children, who have no choice but to turn to a food bank for help, and this is a good first step. This move could save families around £500 a year, relieve some of their financial pressures and help children get a better start in life."