Thousands more children in Devon County Council and Torbay Council regions will now receive free school meals without the need for families to apply. Approximately 1,300 pupils who were eligible but not previously receiving free school meals will benefit from this change. Cornwall Council is also planning to implement automatic enrollment for free school meals for an additional 1,800 children starting in September 2026.
Eligibility for free school meals in England is based on various factors such as location, age, and household benefits. Children in England receive free school meals in reception class, year 1, and year 2. For those claiming Universal Credit, the income threshold to qualify for free school meals is set to be removed by the 2026/27 academic year. The Department for Education will provide more details before September 2026.
In Scotland, children from primary one to primary five are entitled to free school meals, while in Wales, all primary school pupils receive them. In Northern Ireland, parents claiming benefits must apply for free school meals as they are not given automatically. Children attending private schools typically do not receive free school meals.
Parents who do not meet the automatic eligibility criteria can still apply for free school meals if they claim specific benefits until their child reaches 18. Additionally, those who qualify for free school meals may also be eligible for other assistance such as grants for school uniform and trips.