More than 280,000 children in London can now claim free school meals

The scheme will see up to 287,000 state primary school children able to benefit following a £135 million emergency funding from the Mayor. 

Free school meals are set to see families across London save upwards of £440 per child over the next year.

Previously, only children in years 3 to 6 in primary school years had received free school meals if they lived in households on universal credit earning less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including benefits. 

All children in London primary schools now get free school meals 

Created to help Londoners hit by the cost of living crisis, a recent City Hall YouGov poll found that 32% of parents and guardians of children between five and 11 years say they are ‘financially struggling’.

Got questions about free school meals? Here’s what you need to know ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AZL6B5sCAU

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) September 4, 2023

With a further 31% sharing that they are buying less food and essentials to combat costs. 

Now every borough in the capital has received £2.65 per meal in funding to enable schools to deliver the meals over the next year.

Discussing the scheme Mayor Khan said: “I know from personal experience what a lifeline free school meals can be and I’m immensely proud that our unprecedented funding means that hundreds of thousands of children across London’s primary schools are now benefitting from them.

“As the new academic year begins, for the first time ever all children at state primary schools in every borough will be enjoying a free lunch at school every day – helping families struggling with the cost of living and ensuring children don’t go hungry.”

Adding: “It is shocking that families across the capital are struggling to feed themselves as they try to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, and I will continue to do all I can to support Londoners as we build a better and more prosperous city for all.”