From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will be entitled to a free, nutritious school lunch — putting an estimated £500 a year back into the pockets of working parents and ensuring children get the fuel they need to learn and thrive.
The government’s expansion reverses the restrictive 2018 threshold, which excluded hundreds of thousands of children from free meals despite being in poverty. It is expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty, reduce pressure on household budgets and improve educational outcomes.
The announcement forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, a bold, long-term strategy to break the link between background and opportunity. Alongside the school meal expansion, the government has already introduced free breakfast clubs, 30 hours of free childcare, and a cap on branded school uniform costs.
The new free school meal entitlement will apply to all education settings that currently offer them — including Cambridge schools, nurseries and further education colleges. Applications will open ahead of the 2026 academic year.
Mr Zeichner said:
“This is a truly historic change that will make a real difference to families in Cambridge. Making sure every child has a hot, healthy meal during the school day is one of the best ways we can support both children and families.
“No child in Cambridge should be too hungry to learn. I’m proud to be part of a government delivering on this promise.”
