Free school meals proven to ‘cut obesity and improve reading skills’

A new study of four London boroughs which have introduced free school meals has found evidence that the policy cuts obesity and improves reading skills.

Levels of obesity were reduced by seven per cent to 11 per cent among reception-aged children in four boroughs that have already adopted the policy – Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Islington.

The study, by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, also found that introducing free school meals led to one in three children eating a school lunch for the first time.

All primary school children in Southwark have benefitted from free healthy school meals for more than a decade. 

In January, Southwark council extended the offer to all secondary pupils whose parents receive Universal Credit but miss out on free school meals because they earn above £7,400 as a family.

Researchers found that making free school meals universal – rather than means-tested based – increased their take-up by eight per cent by those who had already been entitled to the service.

The study suggested the shift was due to the “increased attractiveness” of taking a school meal, which may have changed the stigma around having them.

Figures from the study also pointed towards an uptake in reading skills. The study suggested that by the age of 11, the impact of free school meals was equivalent to “approximately two weeks’ additional progress in school”.

Southwark councillor Jasmine Ali, cabinet member for children, education and refugees, said: “This excellent news backs up our own statistics on childhood obesity and educational attainment, which have shown a steady decrease in the obesity rate in primary age children, and year-on-year improvement in educational attainment over the past 10 years that our universal free school meals policy has been in place. 

“Of course I am absolutely delighted that the evidence is clear – free school meals has been one of the best things we have done to support the next generation in Southwark. I fully expect that we will continue to hear good news like this for our children.”

In England, all reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children are entitled to free lunches. Blanket free school meals have now been rolled out by London Mayor Sadiq Khan across the capital until next year. 

Offering free meals to all state primary school pupils would cost about £1billion a year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Pictured top: All primary school children in Southwark have benefitted from free healthy school meals for more than a decade (Picture: PA)