Petition · Department for Education
Raise income threshold for free school meals to reflect cost of living crisis
Closed
40 signatures
What the petition asks
Increase the current limit of £7,400 annual net earned income for families receiving Universal Credit in order to receive free school meals, to a more realistic and sustainable level that reflects the rising cost of living.
We think access to free school meals is essential for ensuring that children receive nutritious food during the school day. Good nutrition is linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and overall child well-being. By raising the income threshold, we think we could provide more children with the support they need to thrive.
Timeline
| 13 May 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 13 Nov 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
40
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education
Opened
13 May 2025
Closed
13 Nov 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 22 Aug 2026.