Nursery World - Number of children eligible for free school meals increases amid rise in poverty

According to the latest data from the Department for Education, the percentage of children qualifying for free school meals has risen from 20.8 per cent last year to 22.5 per cent this year.

More primary school children qualified for free school meals in January compared to last year, reveal official statistics PHOTO Adobe Stock

As of January, just under 1.9 million children were eligible for free school meals.

However, the Child Poverty Action Group has warned that over one in three school-age children in England living in poverty, the equivalent of 800,000, still do not qualify for the support.

To be eligible for free school meals, parents of primary school children from Year 3 and upwards must be in receipt of benefits including universal credit, child tax credit, income support and Job Seeker’s Allowance. Those on universal credit must earn less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including benefits).

Separately, all children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 are eligible for infant free school meals.

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