Roll out universal free school meals nationally, urges thinktank

Health campaigners have called for a phased approach to providing universal free school meals across the country, following a positive evaluation of the programme in London’s state primary schools. The £130m Greater London Assembly emergency-funded scheme launched in the 2023/24 academic year is perceived by a significant majority of families and the school workforce to have lessened food poverty, improved family wellbeing and eased the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, according to ‘More Than a Meal’ – an independent evaluation of Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM), commissioned by non-profit organisation Impact on Urban Health. Read more.