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1129489

	registered interest
	date	04/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of changes to the criteria for free school meals eligibility in 2018; and how many students now receive free school meals compared to the number who received them before these changes took place.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL15974
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2019 answer text <p>I refer the noble Lord to the answers I gave on 6 February 2019 to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13093/" target="_blank">HL13093</a> and Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13094/" target="_blank">HL13094</a>. I will also refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 20 February 2019 to Question <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-02-06/HL13492/" target="_blank">HL13492</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Under the new eligibility criteria that we introduced in April 2018, we estimate that more pupils will benefit from free school meals (FSM) by 2022, compared with the previous criteria. In addition, generous transitional protections were put in place to ensure no child will lose their eligibility for FSM during the change to the new criteria.</p><p> </p><p>Under the benefits-based criteria, to be eligible to receive FSM, a pupil or their parent must be in receipt of any one of the qualifying benefits and must make a claim to the school for FSM. The qualifying criteria includes benefits for both out of work and low-earning families. The full eligibility criteria is attached and also available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 11/06/2019 13:21:03 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton attachment 1 file name HL15974_webpage.pdf title HL15974_FSM_eligibility
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

1110680

	registered interest
	date	09/04/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether schools are allowed to provide different food to those in receipt of free school meals compared to other pupils; whether children of immigrant parents whose passports are stamped “no recourse to public funds” are entitled to free school meals if the family income would otherwise qualify; and whether children of asylum seekers are entitled to free school meals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Greaves
	uin	HL15144
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2019 answer text <p>Compliance with the attached School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools. We also expect all academies and free schools to comply with the standards, and since 2014, we have made this an explicit requirement in their funding agreements. All meals provided must meet the School Food Standards.</p><p>It is not acceptable for schools to stigmatise pupils by limiting choice for free school meal pupils at lunchtime. The vast majority of schools and caterers already make use of cashless systems and other methods to ensure that children who are eligible for free school meals are not identified separately.</p><p>Free school meals are available to disadvantaged families in receipt of certain qualifying benefits. Decisions as to whether immigrants or refugees have recourse to public funds are made by the Home Office. Those granted refugee status can access full mainstream benefits, and asylum seekers receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration &amp; Asylum Act (1999) are also entitled to free school meals.</p><p>The Home Office is able to exercise discretion to grant recourse to public funds where the family would otherwise be destitute. Where this entitles the family to receive certain benefits they may also be able to claim free school meals.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 25/04/2019 11:39:29 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton attachment 1 file name HL15144_School_food_standards .pdf title HL15144_School_food_standards
	tabling member	2569 label Biography information for Lord Greaves

1078962

	registered interest
	date	27/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Education on 19 February (HC219512), whether they plan to seek to increase the number of eligible pupils who claim free school meals; and what assessment they have made of a no-deal Brexit on the number of children eligible for those meals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Boycott
	uin	HL14084
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the government’s top priority. Our eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSM) support children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds by providing a free and healthy school meal each day. This is an important benefit for disadvantaged children. We have no plans to change these criteria, including under a no-deal scenario for exiting the European Union, and have made no assessment of any potential impact on the number of children eligible for FSM in a no-deal scenario.</p><p> </p><p>We want to make sure as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming their FSM and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility. All local authorities have access to the Eligibility Checking System, which significantly reduces the time otherwise taken to check eligibility. We have also shared a model registration form and guidance, which schools can use as part of their enrolment process. In addition, we provide guidance to work coaches so that they can make Universal Credit recipients and those on income-related legacy benefits aware that they may also be entitled to wider benefits, including FSM.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton grouped question UIN HL14086 question first answered 11/03/2019 15:03:48 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4704 label Biography information for Baroness Boycott

1056431

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 6 February (HL13093 and HL13094), what assessment they have made of the impact of their decision to delay the roll-out of Universal Credit on the (1) number of children eligible for free school meals, and (2) ability of families to access such meals.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL13492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2019 answer text <p>I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 6 February 2019 to <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13093/" target="_blank">HL13093</a> and <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2019-01-24/HL13094/" target="_blank">HL13094</a>.</p><p>The eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSM) remains the same following changes to the rollout schedule for Universal Credit (UC), and we will keep the level of the earnings threshold under review following UC rollout. Households that are receiving legacy benefits will continue to access FSM in the same way they do now, and as households migrate to UC in due course, they will remain eligible for FSM throughout the rollout of UC. Our protections mean that even if a household moves above the earnings threshold or ceases to claim benefits, they will continue to receive FSM for the duration of the UC rollout.</p><p>No child that is eligible for and currently receives FSM will lose their entitlement to FSM as a result of UC during the roll out phase, and even more children will benefit by retaining eligibility through the protections we have put in place.</p><p>The department wants to make sure that as many eligible pupils as possible are claiming FSM and to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility. To support this we provide:</p><p>The eligibility checking service to make the checking process as quick and simple as possible for schools and local authorities;</p><p>A model registration form for paper-based applications; and</p><p>Guidance to Jobcentre Plus advisors and work coaches so they can make UC claimants aware that they might be entitled to FSM.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 20/02/2019 15:03:24 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

1047815

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the implications of their decision to delay the roll out of Universal Credit for the implementation of the changes to free school meals entitlement.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL13093
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>The continuing provision of free school meals (FSM) to children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government and we are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged children and young people benefit from FSM. We estimate that under the new eligibility criteria introduced last April, the number of pupils eligible for FSM will increase by 2022 when compared to the old system.</p><p>Further to this, we expect many more pupils to be receiving FSM due to the generous protections that we have put in place. The department will continue to publish statistics on FSM as part of its annual publication ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’<em>, </em>and the latest version is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2018</a>.</p><p>Following the change to FSM eligibility criteria under Universal Credit in April 2018, we published a technical note that set out the methodology for our analysis. This highlighted the uncertainty within the analysis and how outputs might change where we received revised economic forecasts, for example. The technical note is attached, and can also be found at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/707466/Additional_free_school_meal_pupils_under_Universal_Credit.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/707466/Additional_free_school_meal_pupils_under_Universal_Credit.pdf</a>.</p><p>The department has provided guidance, attached, to schools and local authorities to support them in implementing the change to FSM criteria. We will continue to communicate with local authorities, schools, and parents, including when any changes are made to the guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton attachment 1 file name HL13093_HL13094_Technical_note.pdf title HL13093_HL13094_Technical_note 2 file name HL13093_HL13094_Free_school_meals_guidance.pdf title HL13093_HL13094_Free_school_meals_guidance grouped question UIN HL13094 question first answered 06/02/2019 14:14:42 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

1047816

	registered interest
	date	24/01/2019
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the numbers of children in receipt of free school meals affected by their decision to delay the roll out of Universal Credit; and what information they intend to share with parents, local education authorities and schools affected.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL13094
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/02/2019 answer text <p>The continuing provision of free school meals (FSM) to children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government and we are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged children and young people benefit from FSM. We estimate that under the new eligibility criteria introduced last April, the number of pupils eligible for FSM will increase by 2022 when compared to the old system.</p><p>Further to this, we expect many more pupils to be receiving FSM due to the generous protections that we have put in place. The department will continue to publish statistics on FSM as part of its annual publication ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’<em>, </em>and the latest version is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2018" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-january-2018</a>.</p><p>Following the change to FSM eligibility criteria under Universal Credit in April 2018, we published a technical note that set out the methodology for our analysis. This highlighted the uncertainty within the analysis and how outputs might change where we received revised economic forecasts, for example. The technical note is attached, and can also be found at: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/707466/Additional_free_school_meal_pupils_under_Universal_Credit.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/707466/Additional_free_school_meal_pupils_under_Universal_Credit.pdf</a>.</p><p>The department has provided guidance, attached, to schools and local authorities to support them in implementing the change to FSM criteria. We will continue to communicate with local authorities, schools, and parents, including when any changes are made to the guidance.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton attachment 1 file name HL13093_HL13094_Technical_note.pdf title HL13093_HL13094_Technical_note 2 file name HL13093_HL13094_Free_school_meals_guidance.pdf title HL13093_HL13094_Free_school_meals_guidance grouped question UIN HL13093 question first answered 06/02/2019 14:14:43 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

942018

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the impact of the changes to free school meals entitlement following the Free School Lunches and Milk, and School and Early Years Finance (Amendments Relating to Universal Credit) (England) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/148) coming into force.
	tabling member printed	Lord Bassam of Brighton
	uin	HL9532
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/07/2018 answer text <p>The department is working closely with local authorities and schools to support them in implementing the changes to free school meal eligibility that were introduced in April. This has included the provision of guidance, webinar sessions, regular communications and responding to queries received via the department’s Eligibility Checking Service. The latest government statistics on free school meal rates are based on data collected before this change was introduced (January 2018 census). The next publication will be in June 2019 (based on the January 2019 census). The government is committed to reviewing the threshold level at the end of the Universal Credit rollout period.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 25/07/2018 13:06:29 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	3504 label Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton

933739

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which underspending on free school meals occasioned by absence or other reason is being retained as profit by the supplier; and whether they have any plans to tackle any such practice.
	tabling member printed	Lord Beecham
	uin	HL9126
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2018 answer text <p>We have not made an assessment. Schools have a duty to provide free school meals to all pupils who are eligible for them and to pay for free school meals from the funding provided by the government, which includes additional funding for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. While the costs of providing meals each day may vary with factors such as absence, the vast majority of costs will be based on the number of pupils eligible.</p><p>We trust schools to manage their own budgets and it is for them to decide how to use their funding to provide free school meals, including whether to use a supplier.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 16/07/2018 16:51:07 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4181 label Biography information for Lord Beecham

874381

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will estimate the earnings of self-employed people for the purposes of calculating entitlement to free school meals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL6764
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/04/2018 answer text <p>We will assess the earnings of self-employed people based on their net earned income over a period of up to three months. Where families’ actual annualised net earned income is below the £7,400 annual threshold, their children will be eligible for free school meals. We have issued guidance to local authorities and schools to clarify this point.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 16/04/2018 16:53:36 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

874382

	registered interest
	date	28/03/2018
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Free School Meals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the annual cost of extending free school meals to all children in families on Universal Credit over and above that of the proposed income threshold scheme, broken down by costs for (1) free school meals, and (2) the pupil premium.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
	uin	HL6765
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2018 answer text <p>We estimate that providing free school meals (FSM) to all children from households receiving Universal Credit would result in around half of all pupils becoming eligible for FSM. This would be over three times as many as the 1.1 million (14%) that are currently eligible for and claiming FSM in the latest figures. We estimate that this would cost in excess of £3 billion more a year, including the cost of the extra meals and associated school deprivation funding, such as the pupil premium. The additional meal costs alone would be in excess of £450 million per year.</p> answering member printed Lord Agnew of Oulton question first answered 13/04/2018 12:08:47 answering member 4689 label Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton
	tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett