APSE's response to the free school meals extension

APSE welcomes the Government’s announcement on extending the eligibility for free school meals to all children in families receiving universal credit in England from September 2026. The benefits of free school meals are well established, providing a lifeline for children facing food insecurity, enabling them to continue learning, playing, and growing - while reducing the financial burden on families.

Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said: “APSE has long been a part of the campaign to provide free school meals, having worked alongside the All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food since its creation in 2010. Our Principal Advisor for School Catering, Vickie Hacking, has worked tirelessly on school food policy for many years, including with the APPG. APSE is also proud to host the annual APPG Excellence in School Food Awards - celebrating the commitment to delivery and innovation in the sector."

“We also welcome the review of school food standards to ensure the meals served are of high quality and nutritious. A robust monitoring regime should also be put in place to ensure that providers comply with the latest standards of the nutritional value of the meals given to children.

“Concerns will remain within the local government sector regarding the increasing gap between funding and the cost of provision. A sustainable funding model will be required to guarantee the viability of good quality free school meals services.”

The APSE Catering Network – free for members - covers education, welfare and civic catering services, and allows local authorities to share best practice in an informal setting. The next network meeting is on Thursday 24 July, contact [email protected] to find out more.