Universal free school meals in London have helped boost the health and wellbeing of families, a new report says.
It finds a massive 84% of parents believe the rollout of the policy in the capital has helped or significantly improved their household budgets.
Families living on low incomes are benefiting the most while a third of parents surveyed (33%) also said the policy means they have less debt. The independent research from charity Impact on Urban Health adds that one in three also believe their kids are now able to concentrate better in classes.
Mayor Sadiq Khan first unveiled the rollout of free hot dinners for all primary school children in London back in 2023 and has since made the policy permanent. The Mirror has also been campaigning for free school meals for all primary school children - a call supported by teachers, charities and top chefs.
Welcoming the report, Mr Khan said: “I’m delighted that our funding to provide free school meals for all state primary school children in London is having such a significant positive impact.
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"Delivering free school meals has been one of my proudest policies as Mayor, and it is hugely encouraging to hear how it is supporting families struggling with the cost of living, improving the health and wellbeing of children, and positively impacting school communities.
"That’s why I have made the historic decision to make free school meals permanent in London for as long as I am Mayor."
Nikita Sinclair from Impact on Urban Health said: "The evaluation shows how universal primary free school meals in London are already making a meaningful difference not only to family finances, but to children’s health, wellbeing, and school experiences by providing access to nutritious food.
"It is clear that while these positive outcomes are being felt by all families, those living on low incomes have benefited most.
"However, the findings show that more needs to be done to ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit fully, in particular the most marginalised. We need committed action from government to address existing barriers and ensure school food meets the needs of all children to make free school meals an accessible, consistent part of every child’s school day.”
Labour has rejected calls for universal free school meals and is instead focusing on the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary schools across the country.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "This government is determined to give every child the best start in life, including through our plans to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school. This will help ensure children are ready to learn at the start of the school day, and drive improvements to behaviour, attendance and attainment.
“The continued provision of free school meals to disadvantaged children also plays an important role in breaking down the barriers to opportunity. As with all government programmes, we will keep our approach under continued review.”