### Major Expansion of Free School Meals Set to Benefit Thousands of Children in England The UK government has announced a significant policy change that will provide free school meals to all children from households claiming Universal Credit starting in September 2026. This initiative aims to alleviate child poverty and ensure that children can focus on their education without the burden of food insecurity. The expansion is expected to impact over 500,000 children across the country, marking a historic shift in the approach to child welfare and education support. ### Breakdown of the Policy Change and Its Implications 1. **Eligibility Expansion**: - All pupils in England whose families are on Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals starting in the 2026/27 academic year [https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-news/2025/06/04/all-pupils-in-families-on-universal-credit-to-be-entitled-to-free-school-meals]. 2. **Impact on Child Poverty**: - The initiative is projected to lift approximately 100,000 children out of poverty, addressing a critical issue highlighted by various advocacy groups [https://au.news.yahoo.com/free-school-meals-half-million-222319718.html]. 3. **Government Support and Rationale**: - Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that this change will allow children to concentrate on their education, which is essential for their future success [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14783223/Handing-free-school-meals-children-households-claim-Universal-Credit-WONT-drag-100-000-poverty-year-says-IFS-them.html]. 4. **Regional Focus**: - Specific regions, such as the West Midlands and Manchester, are expected to see significant benefits from this policy, with local leaders welcoming the change as a "game-changer" for families in need [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/huge-free-school-meals-promise-090735406.html, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/thousands-children-manchester-benefit-major-31793820]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Current Eligibility Statistics**: - More than one in four pupils in England are currently eligible for free school meals, indicating a growing need for such support [https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-news/2025/06/05/more-than-one-in-four-pupils-in-england-now-eligible-for-free-school-meals]. - **Projected Beneficiaries**: - The policy is expected to benefit an additional 500,000 children, significantly increasing the number of eligible students [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/free-school-meals-expansion-benefit-095506443.html]. - **Charitable Support**: - Charities have expressed strong support for the expansion, viewing it as a necessary step to combat child poverty and improve educational outcomes [https://news.sky.com/story/charities-welcome-half-a-million-more-children-being-eligible-for-free-school-meals-13379294]. ### Conclusion: A Transformative Step Towards Reducing Child Poverty In summary, the UK government's decision to expand free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit represents a crucial step in addressing child poverty and supporting educational success. 1. **Policy Implementation**: The new eligibility criteria will take effect in September 2026, impacting hundreds of thousands of children [https://uk.news.yahoo.com/thousands-kids-free-school-meals-040000804.html]. 2. **Anticipated Outcomes**: The initiative aims to lift 100,000 children out of poverty and ensure that all children can access nutritious meals during school hours [https://au.news.yahoo.com/free-school-meals-half-million-222319718.html]. 3. **Community and Government Support**: Local leaders and charities are rallying behind this change, recognizing its potential to transform the lives of many families [https://news.sky.com/story/charities-welcome-half-a-million-more-children-being-eligible-for-free-school-meals-13379294]. This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also lays the groundwork for a more equitable educational landscape in the UK.