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<p>The latest published statistics from the Department are available at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics"
target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics</a>.</p><p>Approximately
1.9 million pupils are claiming free school meals (FSM). This equates to 22.5% of
all pupils, up from 20.8% in 2021. Together with a further 1.25 million infants supported
through the Universal Infant Free School Meal policy, over one third of school children
are now provided with FSM. The Department currently has protections in place, ensuring
that eligible pupils keep their FSM entitlement even if their household circumstances
improve.</p><p>The Department believes that the current eligibility threshold level,
which enables children in low income households to benefit from FSM while remaining
affordable and deliverable for schools, is the right one. The Department does not
have plans to change the current eligibility conditions for FSM but will continue
to keep eligibility under review to ensure that these meals are supporting those who
most need them. The Department continues to monitor current issues that affect disadvantaged
families, such as the consequences of the rising cost of living.</p>
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