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Survey suggests English public would support introduction of universal free school meals

15th Mar 2022 - 07:56
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Abstract
A new public poll to mark International School Meals Day (10 March) revealed the majority of UK adults would like to see the introduction of free school meals to all primary schoolchildren.

Universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) were introduced in 2013 in England, as a first step towards making school lunches part of core provision in the school system. From Year 3 onwards, children in England are only eligible for free school meals if their families have net earnings below £7,400 per year.

According to recent polling conducted for Children’s Food Campaign by Savanta ComRes 66% of UK adults would like the Government to make school meals free for all primary age children. Public support also increases to 73% when respondents learnt about Scotland and Wales who have already committed to making universal meal provision.  

Barbara Crowther, co-ordinator for Children’s Food Campaign, said: “Expanding free school meals to all primary age school children across the whole of the UK could be a valuable and cost-effective lifeline for families at a difficult economic time.

“It’s utterly perverse that when our education system is meant to be free at the point of access, and when good food is vital for children’s ability to learn, we have such a contorted means-tested system of charging millions of children to eat in school once they turn seven.

“Scotland and Wales are now forging ahead with primary school meals for all, Northern Ireland is exploring options including universal provision. Children in England are going to be left even further behind unless the Government acts. This polling shows that massive public support across the political spectrum to make this a UK wide policy.” 

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Written by
Edward Waddell