Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will take steps to review the eligibility criteria for free school meals before the end of the 2022-23 autumn term.

The department does not have plans to assess the potential impact of changes in the cost of living on pupils who are not eligible for free school meals (FSM). However, we continue to monitor the rising cost of living whilst working with other government departments on support surrounding this issue.

The department will continue to keep FSM eligibility under review to ensure that these meals are supporting those who most need them. In setting a threshold, the government believes that the current level is correct, as it enables children to benefit from FSM, while remaining affordable and deliverable for schools.