Asked by: Lord Walker of Broxton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of children who do not receive free school meals they are entitled to; and what steps they are taking to ensure that all eligible children receive free school meals.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. From September 2026, eligibility for free school meals (FSMs) was extended to all children in households receiving Universal Credit, providing over half a million additional children with access to a free, nutritious lunchtime meal. The department recognises the vital role played by FSMs and encourages all eligible families to claim the support to which they are entitled.
The department has upgraded the Eligibility Checking System, making it easier to identify children who are eligible for FSMs. We have also worked closely across government, including with the Department for Work and Pensions, as well as with schools and local authorities, to support implementation and awareness of the expanded entitlement.
The department does not routinely assess the number of children who are entitled to FSMs but do not receive them.
The department will continue to monitor take-up of FSMs following implementation of the expansion, including through the school census.
Asked by: Lord Walker of Broxton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on data-sharing arrangements between the Department of Work and Pensions and Department for Education to ensure that children automatically qualify for free school meals as their families move onto the expanded Universal Credit from September 2026.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We want to ensure that every family that needs support can access it. Extending free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit represents a significant step towards achieving that objective. The expansion provides over half a million additional children with access to a free, nutritious lunchtime meal and is expected to lift around 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament.
The department has upgraded the eligibility checking system, which makes it easier to check if children are eligible for free meals. We also have worked closely across government, including with the Department for Work and Pensions, and with schools and local authorities to support implementation and raise awareness.
The department will monitor take-up as the expansion is implemented.
Asked by: Lord Walker of Broxton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to introduce national auto-enrolment for free school meals for all children in households receiving Universal Credit.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We want to ensure that every family that needs support can access it. Extending free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit represents a significant step towards achieving that objective. The expansion provides over half a million additional children with access to a free, nutritious lunchtime meal and is expected to lift around 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament.
The department has upgraded the eligibility checking system, which makes it easier to check if children are eligible for free meals. We also have worked closely across government, including with the Department for Work and Pensions, and with schools and local authorities to support implementation and raise awareness.
The department will monitor take-up as the expansion is implemented.