All primary school kids should have access to free school meals, says North Herefordshire MP Ellie Chowns
In April 2026 free breakfast clubs are to launch in 2,000 new schools and from September all children on Universal Credit will be able to access free school meals in England
Work by government to tackle child poverty is welcomed but more still needs to be done says North Herefordshire's MP.
The government announced at the end of September 2,000 new schools would join its free breakfast club scheme from April 2026, meaning "half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day".
In June it also confirmed from September 2026 families in England receiving Universal Credit would be able to access free school meals starting from the 2026/27 school year.
Green party MP Ellie Chowns says these are both important but she's backing a petition by the National Education Union (NEU) to see the free school meals extended further to all primary school children in England.
"I and the Green party have long supported the campaign for extending free schools meals," she said.
"Actually in the Green party we'd like to see everybody in school having free school meals but definitely all primary school kids.
We know so many families are struggling with the cost of living so this would be a huge help, for families, it would ensure them their kids are getting a decent meal at school, it would make sure that no child is left behind and no child goes hungry."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Through our Plan for Change, this government is tackling the stain of child poverty – offering free school meals to every single child from a household that claims Universal Credit.
“This means over half a million more children will be able to access free school meals, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty.
“And we’re doing even more to put money back in the pockets of working families, with 30 hours of government-funded childcare, free breakfast clubs in every primary school and a cap on school uniform costs that will save parents a further £500 a year."
The 2,000 new schools in the free breakfast club scheme will join the 750 schools already delivering them after a launch in April this year.