In Devon, approximately 1,300 children who were previously ineligible now receive free school meals due to changes implemented by Devon County Council and Torbay Council, which allow families entitled to meals to automatically receive them without the need for application. This auto-enrolment initiative is anticipated to enhance support for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds through additional “pupil premium” funding.
Following these changes, Cornwall Council plans to adopt a similar program by September 2026, potentially impacting about 1,800 children. Plymouth City Council is also considering this adjustment. The percentage of children receiving free meals in the Devon County Council area has increased from 9.6% in the 2016/17 school year to nearly 20% in 2023/24. Currently, families must earn less than £7,400 annually to qualify for free meals.
Devon County Council has reported that around 21,065 pupils are now benefiting from free meals, with an increase of approximately 1,065 attributed to the new enrollment process. Devon is noted as the first county council in the UK to implement such a scheme.
The leader of Devon County Council, Julian Brazil, highlighted that the application process had previously posed challenges for some families and emphasized the broader benefits this initiative could provide for schools and students. The program is also expected to generate an additional £1.5 million for schools in the area.
Although the auto-enrolment program has been welcomed, Sonia Duggan from Action for Children raised concerns about ongoing struggles faced by families, particularly due to rising living costs. She noted that while auto-enrolment is beneficial, it does not fully address the hardships some families endure, as many still find it challenging to afford basic necessities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpq1y7d40zwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss