Free school meals expansion: “victory” for campaigners and struggling families

EMBARGO: 22:30 Wednesday 4 June 2025

The Government has finally listened to calls to expand free school meals to all children on universal credit, a longstanding Liberal Democrat policy.

The Liberal Democrats have consistently put pressure on the Government on the issue including a recent amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which the Government voted down, to expand free school meals to all children in poverty.

Responding to the announcement, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Munira Wilson MP, said:

"Liberal Democrats have been pushing hard for this crucial change for years. It's a victory for thousands of passionate campaigners that the Government has finally listened.

"Under the Conservatives, struggling families had to skip meals or sacrifice prescriptions to make sure their children had lunch to eat. Their lives will be transformed by this change.

"This can only be a first step. To end the cost of learning crisis, the Government needs to commit to auto-enrolling eligible children for free school meals, lifting the two child benefit cap, and capping uniform costs to truly change the lives of children in poverty. We’ll hold their feet to the fire to make sure today’s change is just a start.”

ENDS