The UK government has announced a significant policy change that will allow any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit to claim free school meals starting from September 2026, regardless of household income.
This move is expected to make approximately 500,000 more pupils eligible, aiming to support families facing financial difficulties and tackle child poverty more effectively.
Currently, for children to qualify for free school meals under Universal Credit, their household income must be less than £7,400 per year after tax.
The new policy removes this income cap, meaning all families receiving Universal Credit will automatically qualify, marking a substantial widening of access.
A Move to Help Families and Children in Need
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of the change, calling it “one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents’ pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn.”
The extension of eligibility is part of the government’s broader commitment to reduce child poverty and support vulnerable families.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outlined the government’s intentions in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, stating the changes would save parents approximately £500 a year and lift 100,000 children out of poverty.
She described the policy as her “moral mission” and highlighted the link between proper nourishment and children’s ability to focus and succeed academically.
“We know if children are arriving at school ready to learn that makes a massive difference to their outcomes. If you’re hungry, it’s really hard to concentrate,” Phillipson said.
To fund the expansion, the Department for Education has allocated £1 billion until 2029. Although Phillipson did not specify the source of the funds, she assured that schools would not need to divert money from other resources and that further financial details would be clarified in the upcoming spending review.
Labour’s Child Poverty Agenda and the Two-Child Benefit Cap
The Labour government is simultaneously considering scrapping the controversial two-child benefit cap, a policy implemented in April 2017 that limits means-tested benefits for third or subsequent children. Phillipson confirmed the government is “considering” removing this cap as part of its child poverty strategy, expected to be published this autumn.
Labour’s child poverty approach has come under scrutiny, with opposition parties and advocacy groups pushing for more comprehensive measures. While the Universal Credit free school meal expansion is welcomed, critics argue it alone will not be enough to address the systemic challenges of poverty.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Munira Wilson described the announcement as “a first step,” urging the government to also introduce automatic enrollment for free school meals, abolish the two-child benefit cap, and regulate uniform costs to truly combat child poverty in the UK.
Reactions from Education and Charity Sectors
The announcement has been broadly welcomed across the education sector and child welfare organizations. Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust charity, praised the move as a “significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders union, called the change “great news” while acknowledging more work remains. “There is much more to be done – but this is a welcome step forward,” he added.
Kate Anstey, head of education policy at the Child Poverty Action Group, welcomed the extension as a “game-changer for children and families,” emphasizing that it would cover “all children in poverty and those at risk of poverty,” whereas the current eligibility only captures around two-thirds of these children.
Anstey expressed hope that this policy would signal broader government action in its upcoming child poverty strategy. “We hope this is a sign of what’s to come in the autumn’s child poverty strategy, with government taking more action to meet its manifesto commitment to reduce child poverty in the UK,” she said.
Charities have also called for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished in next week’s spending review, viewing it as a critical step to fully address the needs of large families in poverty.
Independent Analysis and Criticism
Despite the positive reactions, some experts have expressed caution about the policy’s potential impact. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlighted that while the extension would reduce child poverty to a degree, it is not a silver bullet.
Christine Farquharson, associate director of the IFS, stated in a press release that “today’s announcement would not see anything like 100,000 children lifted out of poverty next year,” despite government claims.
She pointed out that protections introduced in 2018, which ensure children do not lose eligibility when family circumstances change, have already increased free school meal uptake.
Farquharson also noted that other policies, such as removing the two-child benefit cap, might have a lower cost per child lifted out of poverty, suggesting the government’s future focus may need to be broader and more systemic.
Eligibility and Enrollment Challenges
At present, about 2.2 million children in England – roughly 25.7% of the pupil population – are registered for free school meals. To qualify, families must meet specific criteria, including income thresholds and benefit receipt.
However, parents must apply for free school meals on behalf of their children, and eligible children are not automatically enrolled.
This has resulted in many children missing out. In February 2025, MPs on the cross-party education committee urged the government to introduce automatic enrollment, citing barriers such as language difficulties and administrative complexities that prevent some parents from applying.
Phillipson, however, said there are currently no plans to introduce automatic enrollment, despite the calls from parliamentarians and charities.
A Patchwork of Eligibility Across the UK
Eligibility for free school meals varies across the United Kingdom. In England, eligibility is means-tested, but in London and Wales, all primary school children qualify for free meals, regardless of income.
Scotland offers free school meals to all children in the first five years of primary school, as well as children in families receiving the Scottish Child Payment benefit.
In Northern Ireland, parents can apply if they receive certain benefits and have a household income below approximately £15,000, about double the current threshold in England.
This uneven landscape highlights ongoing debates about how best to support children from low-income families across the UK.
Additional Measures to Fight Food Poverty
Alongside the expansion of free school meals, the government has pledged £13 million to support a dozen food charities across England, aiming to tackle food poverty more broadly. A review of school meal standards is also planned to ensure that meals provided are healthy and nutritious.
The government’s multi-faceted approach signals an acknowledgment of the complex challenges faced by families living in poverty, from hunger to financial stress.
Political Opposition and Next Steps
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the announcement, accusing the government of “causing confusion” over its policy approach. The debate around child poverty policies and welfare reform continues to be a contentious issue in UK politics.
The government is expected to detail its full child poverty strategy and confirm its stance on the two-child benefit cap in the upcoming spending review and autumn announcements.
Conclusion
The planned expansion of free school meals eligibility to all children in Universal Credit families from September 2026 is a major policy shift aimed at reducing child hunger and alleviating financial burdens on families.
While welcomed by many education and child welfare advocates, experts warn that this measure alone will not end child poverty and that broader welfare reforms, including reconsidering the two-child benefit cap, are essential.
As the government prepares to release its full child poverty strategy later this year, families and advocacy groups alike will be watching closely to see whether further bold actions will follow to ensure no child in England grows up hungry or disadvantaged.