Member

The CPAG evaluation of the Mayor of London’s universal primary free school meals scheme has been mentioned. It found that it was highly valued by parents and children, leading it to conclude that the policy is helping to support pupil happiness and well-being at school. It is also valued by school staff, who can see the good it is doing the children and how it helps to strengthen school communities. All this adds up to what CPAG and the National Education Union call the “multiplier effect” of universal free school meals, providing a key lever in ensuring that all children have access to a diverse, inclusive and rich education. The case for universal free school meals is multifaceted, and I hope it is an ambition that we can keep on the table.