Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2018 to Question 125487, whether local authorities have discretion to not provide a free school meal to a child in (a) reception (b) year 1 and (c) year 2 because of their age.

Since 2014, state funded schools in England have been required by law to provide free lunches to all children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2, under the universal infant fee school meals policy. The criteria are not age related. The legislation is clear that local authorities must provide a free meal to a child in reception, Year 1 and Year 2, where a meal has been requested.