Richmond Council confirms it is providing additional funding to support the expansion of free school meals to all primary aged children from September 2023. 

The council's support will top-up the Mayor of London's funding for a year of free meals. The extra money will ensure schools have the kitchen facilities and equipment needed to help the increased number of hot meals served.    

Cllr Penny Frost, Chair of the Council's Education and Children's Service committee, said: "Good nutrition is essential for physical and mental well-being and development, and we know that children learn better when they are well fed."

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.

Cllr Frost added: "We anticipate that this offer will be popular and one that parents will hope to see extended beyond a year. Our schools have had to make a significant capital investment to deliver meals for this coming year so if the offer continues, which we hope it will, it will be critical that the Mayor and the Department for Education work to release funding for ongoing costs."   

The news comes several months after Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham and Teddington, critiqued the long-term implications of the scheme. Wilson said: "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."

The offer is not means-tested and is available from September for all primary aged children in state-funded schools. To find out more, please speak to your child's school.  

It is hoped the move by Sadiq Khan 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.

Richmond Council is also continuing to provide school meal vouchers for the borough's lowest-income families over the school summer holidays.  

Each eligible child is receiving £120 for the six-week school holiday period, which is £30 more than was provided last year.  

Eligible children and young people will also have free access to holiday clubs through the FUEL holiday activity and food programme. 

The purpose of the programme is to make free places available during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays for children and young people whose parents and carers receive benefits related free school meals. Children and young people will also get their lunch provided at the club.