The Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland has welcomed a landmark government policy that will extend free school meals to over half a million more children across England, calling it a historic breakthrough in the fight against child poverty.
Beginning in the 2026 school year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for a free school meal each day.
This will provide support to families under financial pressure and is expected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty entirely.
The policy will not only improve family finances by putting £500 back into parents’ pockets annually, but also strengthen the foundations for better health, behaviour, and educational outcomes.
This forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, focused on removing barriers to opportunity and giving every child the best start in life.
Research consistently shows that a nutritious meal during the school day can significantly boost attainment, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
Since 2018, free school meals were only available to children in households with an income under £7,400 per year – a threshold that excluded many children still living in poverty.
The new eligibility criteria, based on Universal Credit status, will dramatically expand access.
The MP for Bishop Auckland has long been a committed campaigner for child welfare, both in a personal and professional capacity, with decades of work dedicated to tackling child poverty.
Since entering Parliament, Sam has consistently called for ambitious, practical policies to end child poverty and increase opportunity, pushing for free school meals.
The policy comes alongside further targeted support for families hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
This includes raising the national minimum wage, uprating benefits, introducing a Fair Repayment Rate for Universal Credit deductions, and the roll-out of primary school breakfast clubs.
The free school meals expansion also comes ahead of the Child Poverty Taskforce’s forthcoming ten-year strategy, which will set out long-term plans for sustainable change.
Sam Rushworth said: “Today’s announcement means that approximately 5,000 more children in our constituency will now be eligible for free school meals.
“One local mum got in touch to say this policy will save her family £35 a week – a meaningful difference.
“This is just one example of how we are helping families with the cost-of-living crisis.
“This progress has only been possible because of the tough decisions the government has made to stabilise the economy, giving us the fastest growth in the G7.
“Having campaigned on this issue for so long, it’s days like today that make all the hard work worthwhile- when we see real, positive change in people’s lives.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
