Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the difference between the average rate of take-up for free school meals for eligible families in receipt of (a) universal credit and (b) legacy benefits.

The department does not hold any data on the take-up rates for free school meals (FSM) split by universal credit and legacy benefits. We also hold no information on the number of children who qualify for FSM on account of a universal credit claim. As indicated in my answer to PQ 7124 to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, on 12 September 2017, the department is working to establish new criteria for determining entitlement to benefits-related FSM as the roll-out of Universal Credit progresses. No decision has been taken yet, and our proposals on this matter will be announced in due course.