Free School Meals Made Universal in Borough State Primaries
All children in Years 3 to 6 will qualify due to Mayor's funding
Under 13 boys - red t
August 11, 2023
From the beginning of next term in September, all children in state primary schools in Hounslow Borough will qualify for free school meals for the whole academic year.
Under the new free school meals programme funded by The Mayor of London, over 9,000 children from Years 3 to 6 in Hounslow and 270,000 across London will benefit.
The new programme will run for one year and it aims to support families dealing with the rising costs of living. Families are not required to register for the new free school meals programme as this will be done automatically.
Currently all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, and eligible families in receipt of benefits who have registered can get free school meals which are funded by the Government.
Sadiq Khan has provided funding of £135 million for the programme at a cost of £440 per child. Latest figures shows around one in six parents or guardians of children aged between five and 11 years are going without essentials, including food, electricity or gas. More than one in three (36 per cent) parents and guardians of children between five and 11 years say they are ‘financially struggling’, with around one in six (15 per cent) going without basic needs or relying on debt to pay for them.
All London Boroughs are set to receive £2.65 per meal in funding, which is higher than the amount they currently receive from Government. The Government has recently increased its funding to £2.53 per meal.
Families in the borough who are receiving benefits should continue to complete a free school meals application. Information on applying for free school meals can be found here.
Schools will get extra government funding for every child whose family is receiving benefits and registered as eligible for a free school meal. The funding which is called the Pupil Premium will support children’s learning. This may also entitle families to other benefits like vouchers for Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF).
On launching the scheme last month, The Mayor, who received free school meals when he was at school, said, “It is truly shocking that so many families across the capital are struggling to feed themselves as they deal with the escalating cost-of-living crisis. It simply cannot be right that in a city as prosperous as ours around one in six parents are going without essentials to get by. I’m determined to do all I can to help and know from personal experience what a lifeline free school meals can be. That is why I stepped forward with this unprecedented funding to provide hundreds of thousands of primary school children with free schools meals. By ensuring children don’t go hungry in the classroom and helping their families, we can build a better and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”
Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills and Employment, said, “We welcome the Mayor of London’s initiative to provide free school meals to all primary-aged children. Our team have been working closely with the Mayor’s team for a smooth implementation of the programme in the borough this September.”
“All children and young people should have the same start in life and every child is entitled to have a nutritious hot meal. I would urge the government to follow the Mayor’s lead and provide long-term funding for free school meals for all children and young people as they go through the vital years of their development, there can be no better investment in our future.”
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