Fact Service March 2021

Issue 9

750 councillors urge year-round free school meals

In an initiative coordinated by education union the NEU, 750 local councillors have written to the prime minister asking that children from low income families receive free school meals (FSM) all year round.

The letter states that “at least 1.7 million children and young people in families in receipt of Universal Credit miss out on this vital support all year round. We are calling on you to expand FSM provision eligibility to include these children.

“You have emphasised your government’s determination to ‘level up’. Reshaping FSM provision to include children growing up in families in receipt of Universal Credit will provide an additional 1.7 million children with what they need to learn, thrive and achieve their full potential.”

https://neu.org.uk/media/14761/view