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A new initiative in Liverpool has seen over 100 families sign up to automatically enroll eligible children for free school meals. Despite approximately 26,000 households in the city already receiving free school meals, national figures reveal that about one in ten children are missing out on this benefit. Liverpool City Council has taken steps to simplify the enrollment process to increase take-up rates and ensure that no child goes without a nutritious meal during the school day, potentially saving parents up to £500 per year.
Identified by the council, approximately 550 children are not currently enrolled in the free school meals program. Initially, a letter was sent out to encourage these families to sign up, resulting in 100 households taking the necessary steps. Moving forward, the council has now informed households that eligible children will be automatically enrolled if parents or carers do not respond. This proactive approach aims to guarantee that no child misses out on their entitlement to free school meals as they return to school following the summer break.
In addition to ensuring children receive the meals they are entitled to, this initiative will also boost Pupil Premium funding for the schools each child attends. Currently valued at £1,480 per child for primary schools and £1,050 for secondary schools, this funding will further support educational and social initiatives within the school system. The move aligns with the UK Government’s intention to extend free school meals to all families receiving Universal Credit starting in September 2026 in an effort to lift 100,000 children out of poverty nationally. Families can check their eligibility for free school meals and register at the Liverpool City Council website.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, and Transformation, Councillor Ruth Bennett emphasized the importance of ensuring that every child in the city has access to free school meals. Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment, and Skills, Councillor Joanne Kennedy highlighted the essential role decent meals play in children’s readiness to learn, expressing optimism about the positive impact this initiative will have on hundreds of young people in Liverpool
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