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<p>This government has extended Free School Meal (FSM) eligibility several times and
to more groups of children than any other government over the past half a century.
Around 2 million pupils are currently eligible for benefits-related FSM. Close to
1.3 million additional infants receive free and nutritious meals under the Universal
Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) policy. Taken together, over one third of pupils
are receiving free meals.</p><p>The department invests over £1 billion in support
of these policies. Schools are currently funded at £480 per eligible pupil per year
as a factor value within the National Funding Formula. This is increasing to £490
in 2024/25. For UIFSM, schools receive £2.53 per meal per child. This was uplifted
from £2.41 for the current academic year. Further Education institutions have received
the same uplift.</p><p>In setting an income threshold for FSM, the government’s judgement
is that the current level enables the most disadvantaged children to benefit while
remaining affordable and deliverable for schools and the taxpayer. It is right that
provision is aimed at supporting the most disadvantaged, those out of work, or those
on the lowest incomes. The department does not have any plans to further extend provision
at this time. The department will keep FSM eligibility under review to ensure that
these meals are supporting those who need them most. The department facilitates this
by working with other government departments to monitor the cost of living and impact
on disadvantaged families and considering a wide range of evidence, including findings
produced by the Child Poverty Action Group. In addition to this, the department regularly
engages with a wide range of stakeholders including school leaders, pupils and catering
organisations.</p>
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