Research has found that children from households on benefits are six times more likely to be at risk of food poverty than those not on benefits. Free school meals is a gateway benefit that not only provides nutritious meals during term time and school holidays.
For each eligible child receiving free school meals, primary schools receive £1,455 and secondary schools £1,035 through the Pupil Premium. Families are also saving an average of £600 per child per year.
Schools in Lambeth have received an estimated £3 million in additional funding through the Pupil Premium and National Funding Formula.
Councillor Ben Kind, councillor & cabinet member for Children & Families Lambeth Council, said: "Our commitment to maximising free school meals enrolment not only ensures fairer access to essential nourishment for children in Lambeth’s schools but also directly channels vital additional funding into our schools."