A program to provide free school meals to all state primary school children in London has distributed 100 million lunches, according to City Hall. Launched by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan in 2023, the initiative aims to assist families facing increasing living costs. The mayor has committed to funding the program for the duration of his term.
On average, each child has received 435 free lunches, potentially saving families up to £500 annually per child. In remarks made during a visit to Shoreditch Park Primary School in Hackney, the mayor emphasized the program’s role in ensuring children have access to nutritious meals while alleviating financial burdens for their families.
The £130 million a year initiative was originally intended as a temporary measure, financed through one-off funding from additional business rates income; however, it has since been extended. The funding covers meals for children in Years 3-6, while pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2 automatically receive free lunches under a separate central government scheme.
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to expand eligibility for free school meals to include all children whose parents receive Universal Credit, effective from September 2026. This move could further impact the landscape of school meal provision in London and beyond.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5zme18lr6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss