Free school meals London’s mayor launches £130m scheme for primary pupils-Education News
The mayor’s office said it estimated the one-off funding school could help more than 270,000 children in the capital during the 2023-24 academic year.
A spokesperson added the plans were also expected to save families about £440 per child over the year. Charities and unions have welcomed the news but said more action was needed. The mayor’s office said the scheme, which will be implemented in September and run during term-time only for the length of the academic year, was “one-off funding from additional business rates income”. A spokesperson said funding for the project was made possible because council tax and business rates returns from the capital’s local authorities were higher than originally forecast in the mayor’s draft budget proposals. Mr Khan officially announced the plans during a visit to his old school, Fircroft Primary in Tooting, south-west London. Mr Khan, who received free school meals himself, said: “The cost of living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support. “I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already stretched families, but they have simply failed to act.” He continued: “The difference they can make to children who are at risk of going hungry – and to families who are struggling to make ends meet – is truly game-changing.” The launch follows similar decisions by London councils in Newham, Islington, Southwark and Tower Hamlets to offer their own universal primary school free school meals. Last month, Westminster City Council also began providing free school meals for primary pupils in a scheme set to run for at least 18 months. Charities and teaching unions have welcomed the plans, but some have urged central government to step up wider support. Barbara Crowther from the Children’s Food Campaign said:
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