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<p>The department will continue to keep eligibility conditions for free school meals
(FSM) under review to ensure that FSM are supporting those who most need them. In
setting a threshold, the department believes that the current level, which enables
children to benefit from FSM while remaining affordable and deliverable for schools,
is the right one.</p><p>The latest published statistics show that around 1.9 million
pupils are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. 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, 37.5% of pupils are
now provided with FSM.</p><p>Over £200 million a year is being invested in the holiday
activities and food programme. This programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities
and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their heath,
wellbeing and learning through the provision of healthy free meals, nutritional education,
and physical activities on a daily basis.</p>
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