Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 26 April 2023 to Question 181305 on Free School Meals, what guidance her Department has provided to local authorities on ensuring that eligible pupils (a) on school premises and (b) at any other place where education is being provided are in receipt of free school meals.

The Education Act 1996 places a duty on maintained schools and academies to provide nutritious free meals to pupils who meet the eligibility criteria, including being a registered pupil of a state funded school.

Free School Meal (FSM) provision should be made to eligible pupils either on the school premises or at any other place where education is being provided.

The Department has published guidance for schools on FSM provision to eligible pupils who are being taught remotely. The guidance can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1136309/Providing_remote_education_non-statutory_guidance_for_schools.pdf, and: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/handling-strike-action-in-schools, and: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-estates-guidance.