Schools dinners will be free for all London primary school pupils next academic year.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £130 million scheme that will help struggling families with the cost of living. Funded by surplus business rate income, the initiative will run throughout the 2023/2024 academic year and pick up the tab for every primary pupil in a London school.
The announcement expands upon previous meal-funding decisions by Islington, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Westminster councils, now making funding city-wide.
Kids already receive a free lunchtime meal if they are in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2. From Year 3, families must pay for their children's meals, although there are exemptions for some families on universal credit. The new funding from City Hall will cover the entire primary school setting, and benefit around 270,000 pupils. No help is given to families paying for secondary school pupils.
The news will come as a relief to many families, who are struggling to make ends meet amid the cost-of-living crisis. The scheme will save an average of £440 per child over the year.
The Mayor giveth, but he also taketh away. The funding comes at a time of raised council tax, ULEZ charges and train fares all set or influenced by City Hall, as well as wider cost-of-living issues.
