Free school meals auto-enrolment saves families £400 a year

Implemented by 20 local authorities across England, the scheme automatically identifies eligible children and enrols them. This opt-out system prevents children from going hungry and also provides significant savings for families and extra funding for schools.

What is the auto-enrolment scheme?

The auto-enrolment scheme was designed to address a long-standing issue: many families who qualify for free school meals never apply. This could be due to stigma, lack of awareness, or the complexities of the process. By removing these barriers, the programme ensures that eligible children benefit automatically.

Eligibility for free school meals in England is linked to household income and benefits, with families earning less than £7,400 annually (after tax) qualifying. Despite this, an estimated 10% of eligible families haven’t applied, leaving up to 470,000 children missing out.

The pilot programme, led by the University of York in collaboration with local councils, proactively uses data analysis to identify eligible pupils. This removes the burden from parents and schools, streamlining the process significantly.

Benefits for schools and families

The auto-enrolment scheme not only addresses child hunger but also brings additional benefits:

• Cost savings for families: The programme is estimated to save parents up to £400 per child annually, offering relief during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
• Increased school funding: Schools receive Pupil Premium grants for every child claiming free meals, providing £1,455 per primary pupil and £1,035 per secondary pupil. This funding helps schools support disadvantaged students further.
• Educational support: Proper nutrition enhances concentration and learning, giving children the best chance to succeed in the classroom.

Councillor Ben Kind of Lambeth Council, one of the pilot areas, highlighted the dual benefit of improved access to meals and vital funding for schools, which secured an additional £370,000 through this scheme.

Calls for nationwide implementation

With the pilot’s success, advocates are urging the government to adopt auto-enrolment nationally. Professor Maria Bryant from the University of York’s FixOurFood group stated:

Our evidence supports the need for a centralised system. Streamlining this process would lift the administrative burden from local authorities and ensure every eligible child is covered.

This push aligns with the Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which could pave the way for mandatory auto-enrolment across England.

How does England compare?

While England’s approach to free school meals lags behind other UK nations, there is hope for change. Wales and Scotland already provide free school meals for younger children, and Northern Ireland has a more generous income threshold for eligibility.

The English government has also announced plans to expand its school breakfast programme, with an additional £30 million in funding this year. This initiative will allow up to 750 schools to offer free breakfasts on a universal basis, complementing the push for free school meals.

The future of free school meals

As food insecurity remains a pressing issue, the success of the auto-enrolment scheme offers a blueprint for tackling child hunger. While local authorities have led the charge, national backing could ensure no child is left behind.

For families, this means less stress and more support. For schools, it provides crucial resources to help every child thrive. The conversation now turns to the government, with hopes for swift action to build on this momentum.

Read more:

• Free school meals trial feeds 20,000 more children in England
• Food industry’s influence in UK schools sparks concerns
• School breakfast clubs delayed until 2026 as concerns over readiness grow