Major Universal Credit change as many more children to get free school meals - Liverpool Echo

Major Universal Credit change as many more children to get free school mealsLabour government makes key pledge that could bring 100,000 children out of povertyCommentsNewsLiam Thorp

Political Editor08:59, 05 Jun 2025Many more children will qualify for free school meals (Image: PA) Major changes announced by the government will mean that any child in England whose

parents are in receipt of Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals.

The government will bring the changes in from September 2026. It will mean that any parents on Universal Credit will be eligible, regardless of their income. At present, a household must

earn less than £7,4000 for their children to qualify.

‌ This change will mean that more than half a million children - including many in Merseyside - will become eligible. The government says it means that households in receipt of Universal

Credit could save up to £495 per year per child on school lunches and that the move could lift 100,000 kids out of poverty.

‌ Announcing the news in The Mirror, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I want every child to have every opportunity and the best support to aim high, achieve good grades, and get the

best education possible.

"That starts with the basics - it’s common sense that children can’t do well at school if they’re hungry."

He added: "It will put £500 in parents’ pockets, help children achieve at school, and ease cost-of-living pressures.

Article continues below "My government will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to give every child the best start in life."

Reacting to the announcement, Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust social mobility charity, said: "This is a significant step towards taking hunger out of the classroom.

"Children can't learn effectively when hungry, so this announcement not only helps to tackle the effects of child poverty, but will also likely help improve education outcomes for

disadvantaged young people.

Article continues below The decision comes as the government finds itself under pressure over its child poverty strategy - ahead of next week's all important spending review.

Ministers have delayed publication of the long-promised plan to the autumn amid calls from Labour MPs to scrap the Tory-era two-child benefit limit, which has been blamed for pushing

families into hardship.

Sir Keir said recently that his government "will look", at scrapping the limit. When asked, he said: "We'll look at all options of driving down child poverty."