Thousands of additional children are set to benefit from receiving free school meals without the need for families to apply individually. In Devon County Council and Torbay Council regions, eligible children will now automatically receive this support, ensuring that approximately 1,300 pupils who were previously entitled but not receiving free school meals will now have access to this assistance.
Moreover, Cornwall Council plans to implement automatic enrollment for free school meals starting in September 2026, benefiting an additional 1,800 children. Eligibility for free school meals varies depending on the region within the UK, the child’s age, and the household’s benefits claims. Children in England in reception class, year 1, and year 2 are entitled to free school meals.
Currently, eligibility for free school meals in England is linked to specific benefits, including Universal Credit, where the household income must be below £7,400 annually to qualify. However, starting from the 2026/27 academic year, all children in families claiming Universal Credit will receive free school meals, regardless of income.
The Department for Education will issue further guidance before September 2026. In London, primary school children receive free school meals up to the age of 11. Scotland provides free school meals to children from primary one to primary five, while in Wales, all primary school students are entitled to free school meals.
In Northern Ireland, parents claiming benefits must apply for free school meals as they are not automatically given. Children attending private schools typically do not receive free school meals. If a child does not qualify automatically, parents may still be able to apply if they claim certain benefits until the child turns 18.
Furthermore, those eligible for free school meals may also qualify for additional assistance, such as grants for school uniforms and trips. Readers can select Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for convenient access to valuable news content.