Polly has welcomed the Labour government’s announcement that it will deliver a free nutritious meal every school day for over half a million more children, as Labour put £500 back into parents’ pockets every year by expanding eligibility for free school meals.

From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil in Thanet whose household is on Universal Credit will have a new entitlement to free school meals. This will make life easier and more affordable for parents who struggle the most, delivering on Labour’s commitment to break down barriers to opportunity and give all children the best start in life.

The unprecedented expansion will lift 100,000 children across England completely out of poverty. Giving children the access to a nutritious meal during the school day also leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes – meaning they get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.

Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year, meaning hundreds of thousands of children living in poverty have been unable to access free school meals.

The expansion of eligibility now means that 6640 children are eligible to receive free school meals in Polly Billington’s East Thanet constituency, the highest number for any parliamentary constituency in Kent.

Polly said:

Thanet has some of the worst rates of child poverty in the South East, and I know how much many families are struggling with the cost-of-living. It’s not acceptable to hear that some parents on Universal Credit, many of whom are in work, have been skipping meals to ensure their kids are able to eat.

 

That’s why I am delighted that the government is expanding free school meal provision, to ensure every child can get a healthy nutritious meal during the school day. That’s really welcome action to ensure we lift children out of poverty, put money back in parents’ pockets, and give every child the best start in life.