London's free primary school meals set to be extended

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan first announced his free school meals plan in 2023 (stock picture)

Primary school pupils in London will receive free lunches for another year, under plans put forward by Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mr Khan allocated £130m to the project in the 2023-24 financial year, which will rise to £140m for the next.

He said he was "thrilled to extend this lifeline for another year".

However, youth education charity Impetus said funding breakfast for disadvantaged pupils would have better targeted those most in need.

City Hall says families will save "up to £1,000 over the two years per child as they struggle with the cost-of-living crisis".

• Mayor to fund free school meals for primary pupils

• London Assembly approves free school meals plan

• Free meals plan could cost schools £5m - charity

All children at state schools in England are entitled to free school lunches from reception up to Year 2.

Year 3-6 pupils from households in receipt of eligible benefits are also entitled to free lunches under existing government rules.

Mr Khan's scheme provides lunches for every other London pupil not already covered under government funding.

He told BBC London announcing the scheme's continuation was one of his "proudest days as the mayor".

"I've spoken to teachers over the course of the last few months [and] I've seen the difference it makes in relation to better concentration, better attendance, better productivity," he said.

The mayor said take-up of free school meals had been at 85% in the September to December term last year with 70 million free meals being served in London during that time.

Asked why he had chosen not to invest the £140m in policing, Mr Khan said the government must "play its part" and provide additional funding.

'Unintended consequences'

The scheme has been praised by campaigners including chefs Jamie Oliver and Tom Kerridge, but some organisations, such as Impetus, have said a universal approach could impact badly on the most deprived pupils.

Currently, an application for free school meals triggers pupil premium funding, which is used to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged children.

Impetus director Steve Haines said: "We are concerned that the unintended consequence of this important intervention could end up disadvantaging the children who need it the most."

Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for May's mayoral election, has previously said she would maintain the policy through to the 2024-25 school year, "at a minimum", if she was elected.

Mr Khan's draft budget for the GLA (Greater London Authority) group is due to be published on 17 January and the final draft budget on 14 February.

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