Research and analysis

Free School Meals expansion - Impact on poverty levels

This ad hoc analysis estimates the impact of expanding Free School Meals in England to all children on UC on poverty levels.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 5 June 2025

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Free School Meals expansion to all children on Universal Credit 바카라 사이트“ Impact on individual and child poverty levels and number of children in households receiving Universal Credit

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In June 2025, the UK government announced that, from September 2026, the eligibility criteria for Free School Meals (FSM) in England will be expanded to all children in families receiving Universal Credit. This is a key milestone in the 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트™s agenda to tackle Child Poverty and ensure all children have the Best Start in Life. Full details of the former will be set out later this year in our comprehensive Child Poverty Strategy targeted at tackling the structural and root causes of Child Poverty across the country.

This publication provides estimates of the impact of the policy change on the numbers and proportions of individuals in poverty by age group in FYE 2030. It also includes information on the number of children in households in England in receipt of Universal Credit by parliamentary constituency and age.

Published 5 June 2025