Review and increase the income thresholds for Free School Meals

Closed 527 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like the Government to review eligibility for free school meals, and increase earning thresholds above which people are not entitled to free school meals.

The cost of living has increased over the years and more so this year, and eligibility for free school meals should reflect this.

For many of us the recent cost of living increases mean we are choosing to either eat hot meals or heat our homes.

If the income thresholds for free school meals were increased thousands more children could be entitled to hot school meals.

There are some families on Universal Credit who have had to work more hours when their youngest child reaches 5, to retain their benefits. This will normally mean they no longer qualify for free school meals, due to the current income threshold.

The income threshold for free school meals for Universal Credit claimants was set in 2018, and has not been increased since, despite increased minimum wages and cost of living.

Timeline

11 Apr 2022	Petition opened for signatures
25 Oct 2022	Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 527

Status Closed

Department Department for Work and Pensions

Opened 11 Apr 2022

Closed 25 Oct 2022

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