The Faculty of Public Health welcomes the recent announcement that, from September 2026, any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals – removing the £7,400 income cap.
This move from Government is a positive step forward in reducing health inequalities, with an ever-increasing number of families struggling to access nutritious food as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact communities across the UK.
Clear evidence shows that access to free school meals leads to long-term improvements in children’s health and wellbeing, helping to set them up for a productive, healthy life.
In a major report published last year by the Faculty, a cross-sector coalition of health organisations called for universal access to free school meals for all primary and secondary school children. This announcement is a positive step in that direction. It will increase access to nutritious food for the most vulnerable families, and we are pleased to see this action adopted by Government.
