A recent poll reveals that approximately two-thirds of individuals in England are in favor of extending free school meals to all primary school students. The research conducted by More in Common and the National Education Union indicates strong support for this policy across various voter groups, including 83% of Labour loyalists, 84% of left-wing party switchers, and 67% of right-wing party switchers.
This growing support puts pressure on Andy Burnham, the expected future Prime Minister, to surpass Keir Starmer’s efforts in broadening access to free school meals. The government recently announced that all children from families receiving universal credit will qualify for free hot lunches starting this September, benefiting around 500,000 children.
The Mirror has actively campaigned for free school meals for all primary school students and praised the expansion initiated by Mr. Starmer last summer. The survey revealed that parents, individuals without children, and financially stable individuals also back the universal free school meals policy.
The primary driver behind public support for this policy is addressing child poverty, followed by easing the financial burden on families and promoting equal treatment of all children. Individuals like Susan, a former Labour supporter who switched to Reform, highlighted the importance of ensuring that working parents’ children are adequately fed.
Justin, a dedicated Labour supporter working in IT, emphasized the social and educational benefits of children eating together in school settings, especially considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social experiences.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently advocated for a “universal early years” offering to support parents economically and socially, aiming to combat youth unemployment and stimulate community growth.
According to Alex Newton from More in Common, implementing universal free school meals for primary students presents a significant opportunity for Andy Burnham to gain public support and bridge political divides. The policy has received broad public backing and has the potential to address child poverty while supporting working families.
The Department for Education affirmed the government’s commitment to providing free school meals to all children from households receiving Universal Credit, with a substantial investment aimed at lifting thousands of children out of poverty. This initiative, coupled with the removal of the two-child limit and other supportive measures, is expected to have a substantial impact on reducing child poverty.
The survey conducted by More in Common involved 2,011 adults in April and 2,993 adults in June, highlighting the widespread support for extending free school meals in England.
