Polling found that 82% of prospective Labour voters and over half of prospective Conservative voters (53%) are in favour of expanding free school meals immediately to all children from families receiving Universal Credit, followed by a future expansion to all schoolchildren.
The new research has been published as universal primary free school meals are rolled out across London for a year-long pilot. The School Food Review Working Group, a coalition of 30 organisations from across the school food system, found that the majority of respondents (71%) think the current income threshold is inadequate or should not exist at all.
In support of the mayor’s intervention, Jamie Oliver joined by other supporters and campaigners will be celebrating the first week of all London primary children receiving a free school meal on social media using the hashtag #JoinTheJoyscroll.
Chef and school food campaigner Jamie Oliver said: “It’s great to see that voters across all parties want to put child health first. This reflects what I’m hearing across all my social channels - it’s time to prioritise our children’s health.
“We know that nourishing young minds with nutritious food is an investment in their future, boosts our economy and our health. Sadiq Khan has recognised this by giving all primary school children a free school meal and now we need politicians across all parties to put child health above politics and act now."
#FeedtheFuture campaigners are calling on both the Conservative and Labour parties to commit to nationally expanding the eligibility to all children, urgently targeting children in households receiving Universal Credit as a priority. The Liberal Democrats and Green Party have already stated their support for this policy.
Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation, commented: “This research has an instructive new finding. People now believe that children eating well in school to support their learning is so important that it would affect which party they vote for in the next election. It’s a clear signal that the status quo is both unfair and damaging, and voters want it fixed.”
At present, only children from households with an income below £7,400 a year (after tax and benefits) are eligible. This has not increased since 2018 despite prices rising and means that an estimated 900,000 schoolchildren living in poverty are not eligible.
Matthew Knight, catering manager at Hillstone Primary School in Birmingham, added: “I am heartened to hear that the London Mayor has looked at all the evidence and taken into account the current situation for millions of families and decided to provide a school meal to all primary schoolchildren in London.
“This now has to be a priority for all the country – we need it especially here in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Surely it is a moral obligation to feed our children who are our future? The West Midlands and Birmingham in particular have an extremely high proportion of families living in poverty.
“Free school meals would directly address this inequality. The evidence is there for all to see the dramatic and positive impact free school meals for all would have. It’s time our political leaders stepped up and showed the moral courage to feed our children.”
