Westminster City Council has announced plans to cut universal free school meals for children in years seven to nine, affecting hundreds of families who will have to start paying for their children's school meals, estimated to cost around £550 per child per year. The decision comes after the Conservatives retook control of the council from Labour in the May local elections.
Labour's Policy Reversed
The Labour group, which introduced free school meals for Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) children, has started a petition asking the Cabinet Member for Children's Services to rethink the plans. The petition states: “We know that universal, non-stigmatised free school meals are the best way to support hard-working families on a low income, who are not claiming state benefits and therefore do not meet the threshold for statutory support. Free school meals improve attendance and attainment and are an investment in our young people’s future.”
Alignment with National Scheme
The move coincides with the national government's plan to expand its free school meals scheme in September to cover all children from families on Universal Credit. Previously, this only applied if families had an income of less than £7,400 a year. Westminster Labour had chosen to offer additional support in the borough, with free school meals available to all children in KS3 and nursery. Westminster Conservatives' plans will now cut this additional support, bringing their offer in line with the new national scheme. This means that rather than all KS3 pupils receiving free school meals as part of the council-funded scheme, only those from families on Universal Credit will be eligible.
Council's Financial Pressures
The council is facing significant financial pressure, which it says means it is focusing “on helping those who need support the most.” It will continue to fund its expanded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) offer for the rest of the financial year and has extended funding for the school uniform grant for the next academic year.
Cllr Hannah Galley, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “With all children assessed as needing financial support becoming eligible for free school meals from September, it is the right thing to do to align our secondary school meal offer with the expanded national eligibility criteria. We are committed to supporting those families who need it most, which is why we are continuing to fund our enhanced Holiday Activity and Food programme and the school uniform fund for those pupils transitioning into primary and secondary schools.”
How to Register
Any family in receipt of Universal Credit will automatically be eligible for the Free School Meal Scheme from September but will need to register – or re-register – through their school or directly via the council's website. Families who need further support are encouraged to contact Westminster's Family Hub services or access the new Crisis and Resilience Fund.
