Free school meals ‘significantly benefits’ children, families and schools, independent report finds

A policy to introduce free school meals across London’s primary schools last year has brought  ‘significant benefits’ to children, parents and schools, an independent report has found.

The research by Impact on Urban Health said Sadiq Khan’s Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) policy not only alleviated financial pressures on households, but also positively influenced the health and well-being of children and “strengthened school communities”.

The findings have been welcomed by Southwark council, a borough where all primary school children have benefitted from free healthy school meals for more than a decade. 

Cllr Jasmine Ali, deputy leader and cabinet member for children, education & refugees, said: “We very much welcome this report that shows that more London families are reaping the same benefits as Southwark’s families. 

“The evidence couldn’t be clearer: free school meals can be life changing. Our children are better nourished, achieving better results, and setting healthier eating habits at a young age so they become lifelong.”

In London, around one in three children live below the poverty line, after housing costs. 

The report found that UPFSM are easing pressures on family finances for households across the income spectrum, with families most affected by rising food, energy and housing costs feeling the biggest impact.

More than 80 per cent of parents surveyed said the UPFSM policy helped their household finances. Whilst 52 per cent of parents receiving Universal Credit said the policy was “significantly helping” household finances.

As a result, the evaluation found that the policy benefits the physical and mental health of children and their parents, contributing to a “calmer and more productive” school environment.

Nikita Sinclair, co-head of the Children’s Health and Food Programme at Impact on Urban Health, said: “All children deserve to reap the benefits of a policy like this.”

But, many families noted that the initial financial relief from not paying for school meals was offset by rising household costs.

At the same time, some families couldn’t fully benefit from the scheme because their children couldn’t always eat the food provided, due to medical, cultural or religious requirements.

Ms Sinclair said: “The findings show that more needs to be done to ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit fully, in particular the most marginalised. 

“We need committed action to address existing barriers and ensure school food meets the needs of all children to make free school meals an accessible, consistent part of every child’s school day.”

The report’s findings were welcomed by the Mayor of London, but they also raised questions over the future funding of the scheme.

Mr Khan launched the UPFSM policy in 2023 as a one-year emergency measure to help families with the cost of living, paid for using higher than expected business rate receipts.

The scheme is currently being budgeted for on a year-by-year basis.

While it remains unclear how the policy will be budgeted for each year over the longer term, Tuesday’s report is calling for the UPFSM to be expanded with an enrolment system to streamline access and boost participation among eligible families.

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