Oral Question·Department for Education
“What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to eligibility criteria for free school meals on levels of children in poverty.”
Tabled: 14 October 2025Answered: 20 October 2025
Asked by
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
Labour — Slough
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Education
Answer from Hansard
The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)
As Secretary of State, I have secured free school meals for half a million more children and we are set to lift 100,000 children out of poverty and put £500 back into families’ pockets. Alongside our roll-out of free breakfast clubs, 30 hours of Government-funded childcare and Best Start family hubs, I am acting to deliver Labour’s moral mission on tackling child poverty.