The rate of funding paid to schools for universal infant free school meals has increased by 5p, but remains far below the estimated actual cost, leaving schools having to subsidise provision.
Schools were initially funded from September based on last year’s rate of £2.53 per meal after a decision on any increase was kicked down the road because of July’s election.
But the Department for Education has confirmed today it has increased the rate to £2.58, a rise of 5p, or 2 per cent, and back-dated the increase to September.
However, despite the rise, the new rate remains far below the estimated cost of actually providing meals.
A recent report from School Food Matters estimated it actually costs £3.16 per meal to provide a hot lunch to pupils.
This suggests many schools are either subsidising the meals from elsewhere in their budgets or are forced to compromise on food quality.
Schools will have to subsidise meals
Around 1.6 million infants receive universal free school meals. The cost of a 5p uplift over the course of a year is therefore around £15 million.
If schools were funded at the £3.16 per meal rate, they would receive an additional £176 million in funding.
The DfE said the additional funding for the uplift, back-dated to September, would be sent to schools alongside their final funding allocation in June or July 2025.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT leaders’ union, said although the rise was a “step in the right direction, it will still leave many schools having to subsidise free infant school meals from budgets already under considerable pressure”.
“Suppliers may have to pass on increased costs of producing meals and while schools work with them to try and maintain the quality of food provided, school leaders are facing impossible choices about where to cut spending.
“We urge the government to address this situation so that schools are not expected to use their education budget to subsidise school meals.”
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