WARRINGTON South MP Sarah Hall has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend free school meals to every child whose family receives Universal Credit, a move that will support up to 7500 children in Warrington.
The policy, which will support over half a million children across England, is set to launch in time for the start of the 2026 school year, marking a major expansion of support for working families. Under the new plans, children in schools, school-based nurseries and sixth-form colleges will become eligible for a nutritious, government-funded lunch every day. The expansion is expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty entirely and save parents up to £500 every year.
Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household earns less than £7,400 a year. The new entitlement represents a break from that restrictive cap, ensuring that families receiving Universal Credit will no longer miss out on vital support.
The policy forms part of Labour’s wider “Plan for Change,” which is focused on breaking down the barriers to opportunity and delivering practical improvements for working families.
In addition to the free school meals expansion, Labour is investing over £13 million to stop food waste at source and redirect surplus produce directly to those in need, including children in schools.
Alongside this, the government has committed to reviewing school food standards and ensuring the free school meals children receive meet the highest nutritional requirements, while also maintaining funding streams such as the Pupil Premium.
Labour’s intervention follows years of rising child poverty and stagnating support under the last Government. With nearly 900,000 more children in poverty by the time the Conservatives left office in 2024.
The change is expected to benefit thousands of families across Warrington South, from Appleton to Bewsey, and comes alongside wider Labour reforms including new breakfast clubs, expanded childcare and reforms to reduce school uniform costs.
Further details on the rollout and eligibility process will be shared with schools and families in due course. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to contact Sarah Hall’s office on SarahHall.co.uk/Contact for further information.
Ms. Hall said:”Every child deserves the best start in life, and that begins with the basics, a good education and a full stomach.
“Extending free school meals to families on Universal Credit is a meaningful, practical step that puts children first and puts money back into the pockets of parents across Warrington South.
“This policy means no child sits through a school day hungry. It’s a common-sense step with compassion at its heart, and a hallmark of this Labour government’s Plan for Change.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added:“It is the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty, and today this government takes a giant step towards ending it with targeted support that puts money back in parents’ pockets.
“From free school meals to free breakfast clubs, breaking the cycle of child poverty is at the heart of our Plan for Change to cut the unfair link between background and success.
“We believe that background shouldn’t mean destiny. Today’s historic step will help us to deliver excellence everywhere, for every child and give more young people the chance to get on in life.”
