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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. 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>Under
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 that this is the case.</p><p> </p>
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