Parents across England are facing higher school lunch prices as the new academic year begins, with caterers blaming the government's national insurance increase and rising food and energy costs. Providers say staffing cost rises, including employer national insurance contributions announced by the chancellor last year, have added significant extra pressure to budgets.
Food price inflation is also driving costs higher, with prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks rising 4.9% in the year to July and now 37% higher than five years ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. Letters to parents have acknowledged the strain but said changes were unavoidable to keep services viable.
Examples of increases include Coleham Primary in Shrewsbury, where meals will rise by 10p to £2.60 from September 2025, and Bridge Hall Primary in Stockport, which will charge £2.73, up 8p. Fernhurst Junior in Portsmouth has set a new daily rate of £2.86, while Kingskerswell Church of England Primary in Newton Abbott increased costs by 30p to £2.75.
About a quarter of pupils currently qualify for free school meals, but campaigners say the government's £2.61-per-meal funding is insufficient. Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Head Teachers said: 'Sometimes school dinners are the only reliable nutritious meal a child will get that day.' Judith Gregory of LACA, representing school caterers, said food inflation has driven up costs by over 20% since 2020, and funding should rise to at least £3.45 per meal.
Campaigners argue higher charges disproportionately affect low-income families just above the free meal threshold. The Department for Education said the government has taken a historic step to tackle child poverty by offering free meals to every child from a household claiming universal credit from 2026, fully funded and lifting 100,000 children out of poverty.
