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<p>The department does not have plans to assess the potential impact of changes in
the cost of living on pupils who are not eligible for free school meals (FSM), nor
to make changes to FSM eligibility. However, we continue to monitor the rising cost
of living whilst working with other government departments on support surrounding
this issue. The department will continue to keep FSM eligibility under review to ensure
that these meals are supporting those who most need them. In setting a threshold,
the government 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 claiming 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,
37.5% of school children are now provided with FSM.</p>
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