This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Fund free school meals for all students year-round
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.
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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.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
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
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