Free school meals offered at all Westminster primaries

Westminster Council will spend £2.7m on lunch for all public school children in grades 3 to 6 over the next 18 months.

All children on reception up to grade 2 are now given a free government-funded school meal, but no more than that unless parents are below the £7,400 annual threshold, excluding entitlements. Children in age groups must pay.

Evening Standard’s School Hunger Survey London was found to have the highest proportion of children in poverty who do not receive free school meals because they are not eligible. Our research revealed that the Food Foundation and Coalition of Charities are calling for free school meals for all children living in households that rely on Universal Credit.

Westminster is the fifth London council to offer free meals to all primary school grade groups. Children in Newham, Islington, Southwark and Tower Hamlets are already benefiting from free school meals. The move will save families up to £550 per child per year, the council said Wednesday.

Funding will begin in January and go directly to schools. His Adam Hug, leader of the council, said:

A Westminster spokesman said families previously eligible for free meals will continue to receive supermarket vouchers available only to those who meet the criteria for free school meals, as well as food during school holidays. I said I need to register.