Over 2,000 more local children will now be eligible for free school meals
06/06/2025
The change comes into effect from the start of the 2026 school year
An extra 2,017 children in the Banbury constituency will be able to have free school meals following changes to the eligibility criteria, announced by the government yesterday.
From the start of the 2026 school year every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will qualify for the service. Its estimated the move will give 100,000 children in England access to a nutritious meal during the school day.
Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year.
Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury, said: “I know from the doorstep and my casework how much the stain of child poverty has impacted families in Banbury Constituency.
“That’s why I fully support this decisive and much needed action to expand entitlement for free school meals, lifting children across Banbury Constituency out of poverty and putting money back in parents’ pockets.
“Children across Banbury deserve the best start in life, and I’m proud that Labour is delivering this through the Plan for Change.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
