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<p>We are currently consulting on proposals for free school meals eligibility under
Universal Credit. We will consider the responses to the consultation carefully and
will continue to refine our analysis as our policy on this matter develops.</p><p>Currently
around 1.1 million of the most disadvantaged children are eligible for and claim a
free nutritious meal. This government provides significant funding to ensure the most
disadvantaged children receive free school meals. <br> <br> Under our proposals, no
existing recipients of free school meals should lose their entitlement following the
introduction of new eligibility criteria. We have proposed protection arrangements
to ensure that every pupil who is eligible and receiving free school meals at the
point at which the criteria are changed (or any claimants who gain free school meals
during the rollout of Universal Credit) should be protected against losing their meals
whilst Universal Credit is fully rolled out nationally. In addition, any protected
pupils who are still receiving free school meals once the Universal Credit transition
is complete would continue to receive protection until the end of their current phase
of education.</p><p>In our proposed net earnings threshold, we estimate that around
50,000 more children will become entitled to free school meals than at present, enabling
us to target support towards a greater number of families on low incomes. It is right
that we make sure that free school meals reach children from the most disadvantaged
families, and we are consulting on this issue to make sure this is the case.</p>
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