UK Parliament home

This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

View other petitions from this Parliament

Closed Fund free school meals for all students year-round

Closed on

It is now as important as ever to provide all children with one hot, balanced, and healthy meal a day. The Government must guarantee free school meals for all school students by expanding eligibility for meals and ensuring that they are provided to children throughout all school holidays.

1.3 million children live below the poverty line yet are not eligible for free school meals. We must support all children by making free school meals available for all, including during school holidays. This will guarantee school meals for all families who suffer from food insecurity. Access to healthy, hot meals will not only relieve stress for thousands of families, but has also been proven to improve children’s academic performance. Let’s feed the future.

91 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Related activity

    Provision of free school meals debated by MPs

    MPs held a debate on the provision of free school meals on Tuesday 7 May in Westminster Hall. The debate was led by Munira Wilson MP.

    The Minister for Schools, Damian Hinds MP, responded on behalf of the Government.

    During the debate MPs discussed the value of free school meals for children's health, well-being and educational attainment.
    In response, the Minister outlined the extent of free school meal support currently in place and the vital role it plays in supporting disadvantaged children.

    What is a Westminster Hall debate?

    Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

    Visual explainer: Westminster Hall debates

    Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament

    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 17 May 2022.