More Than 3 Million Children to Benefit From Expanded Free School Meals

More than three million children from families receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for free school meals as part of a major expansion of support for households facing rising back-to-school costs.

The changes are being introduced alongside the rollout of free breakfast clubs, additional government-funded childcare and new restrictions on the number of branded school uniform items parents can be required to purchase.

From September 2026, the government plans to introduce around 1,400 new or expanded free breakfast clubs across the country. The programme is designed to provide children with a healthy meal before lessons while helping parents reduce the cost of before-school childcare.

The government is also planning thousands of additional childcare places, including around 450 new or expanded school-based nurseries. Eligible working parents using government-funded childcare could save thousands of pounds each year, according to the government.

New rules on school uniforms will also come into effect. Primary schools will be limited to requiring up to three branded uniform or PE kit items, while secondary and middle schools will be able to require up to four, including a branded tie.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said the measures are intended to reduce the financial pressure families face at the beginning of a new school year, when expenses for uniforms, meals, childcare and other school-related costs can quickly increase.

The Sutton Trust has welcomed the measures, describing the expansion of free school meals as a significant step towards reducing hunger in classrooms. The charity said better access to school meals could help tackle the impact of child poverty while supporting children's ability to learn.

Supporters of the changes also believe that linking free school meal eligibility to Universal Credit could make the system easier for parents to understand and encourage more eligible families to claim the support.

The government says the combined measures are designed to provide greater financial breathing room for families while helping children start the school year healthier and better prepared to learn.