Teddington primary school children, and those from across the borough, are set to receive free school meals during the next academic year after London Mayor Sadiq Kahn unveiled an emergency cost of living scheme today.

All primary school children in London will receive free school meals during the 2023/24 academic term, starting in September, in a move aimed at aiding families dealing with spiralling costs during the current cost-of-living-crisis.

Government funding for school meals has failed to keep up with inflation, which means headteachers are having to raid budgets or rely on fundraising by parents to cover the costs.

Currently the Government provides just £2.42 per meal, which make it difficult to provide filling nutritious meals, yet contract caterers are typically charging £2.53.

The move by the Labour mayor Sadiq Khan has been welcomed by a local MP, however she questioned whether funding will be sufficient and what happens after it comes to an end.

The MP for Twickenham, Munira Wilson, said: "With so many children living in poverty in the capital, this is welcome, building on Lib-Dems action in coalition to fund free school meals for all infants.

Twickenham and Teddington MP, Munira Wilson

"The Tories continue to fail our children, leaving councils and mayors to pick up the pieces.

"But what happens after one year? And what about secondary aged pupils living in poverty, going to school hungry? Surely all secondary pupils whose families are on Universal Credit should also be eligible for a free school meal, as Lib Dems have been calling for."

Currently, households in England receiving Universal Credit must earn below £7,400 a year before benefits and after tax to qualify for free school meals.

According to the Food Foundation, an estimated 800,000 children in England are living in poverty but do not qualify.

The mayor's office has estimated the new scheme could help more than 270,000 children in the capital and save families around £440 for the next academic year for every child.

It is hoped the move by Mr Kahn will also remove the stigma for young pupils who have qualified for the option in the past and prevent children from turning down the option because they have felt embarrassed.

Announcing the scheme, the London Mayor 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.

"This is why I'm stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals. This will save families hundreds of pounds over the year, ensuring parents aren't worrying about how they're going to feed their children.

"It will also guarantee every primary school student a healthy, nutritious meal - meaning they don't go hungry in the classroom and can better concentrate on their studies."

The mayor's office has estimated the new scheme could help more than 270,000 children in the capital and save families around £440 for the next academic year for every child (Credit: Flickr)

Mr Khan, added that he and his siblings relied on free school meals during their youth to provide his parents with some financial breathing space.

"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," he said.

"Supporting London's families through this cost-of-living crisis and helping ensure our children are properly fed is vital as we continue striving to build a better London for everyone - a city that is fairer, safer and more prosperous for all."

Funding for the project has been 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.

Barbara Crowther from the Children's Food Campaign welcomed news of the emergency move but also stressed the need for a long-term solution.

She added: "We applaud the mayor for announcing this vital nutritional safety net for every single primary school child in London for the coming academic year. 

"However, healthy school food for all must not just be an emergency measure. It should be a core part of a fully inclusive education system for the long term."

The mayor's scheme is proposed as part of his final Budget, which will be considered by the London Assembly on 23 February.