Free school meals will soon be available to more secondary school children in Wales. Pupils in years seven and eight from households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of household income, are to be offered free school meals.
All 22 local authorities will be serving meals to eligible learners by January 2027, with more than half of Welsh local authorities already providing free school meals under the expanded scheme, the Welsh Government said.
Registration and eligibility
Parents and carers of children in those first two years of high school who are in receipt of Universal Credit are being asked to register for free school meals via their local authority so their child can access a meal.
Previously, secondary school children were only offered free school meals if their family received Universal Credit and their household earnings were less than £7,400, not including benefits.
Healthier school meals
Primary school meals have been made healthier. From October 31, the new Healthy Eating in Schools regulations came into force. These regulations changed what foods can be served in schools, increasing fruits and vegetables and limiting high sugar and fried foods.
A recent interim evaluation of Universal Primary Free School Meals found high awareness and uptake, benefitting learners and families, particularly in relation to wellbeing and financial savings, the Welsh Government said.
Government response
Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said: “This roll out to learners in year seven and eight marks the first step in our commitment to extend free school meals to more secondary pupils, ensuring that support reaches families who need it most.”
“Access to nutritious food improves concentration, attainment and overall health and we’ve already seen through Universal Primary Free School Meals how much difference this makes to families and learners,” she added. “I encourage eligible parents and carers with children in year seven and eight to register with their local authority so they can access free school meals.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality, Sioned Williams, said widening eligibility to more families on Universal Credit was part of efforts to tackle child poverty across Wales.
