The government has set out its “plan for growth”. Yet it fails to feature a relatively simple and effective policy shift that would deliver significant economic gains and would be popular with the public – expanding free school meals. The social and health benefits of free school meals have long been proven. Children who have a hot, nutritious meal at lunchtime have better health, stronger academic performance and improved lifetime productivity. Despite this, 800,000 children living in poverty in England are still not eligible.
Now we can put a number on the economic benefits too, thanks to new research commissioned by Impact on Urban Health and conducted by PwC. Expanding free school meals to every child from households receiving universal credit would help alleviate immediate cost of living pressures, and would ultimately return £1.38 to the economy for every £1 invested over a 20-year period. That means an injection of £8.9bn into the economy, as well as wider indirect benefits of £16.2bn through regional economic and supply chain gains. And, should the government choose to extend entitlement to all children in state-funded education, the research shows that £41.3bn would be generated in direct benefits and a further £58.2bn in indirect. This groundbreaking analysis more than provides the evidence required for a transformational policy shift in school food.
That’s why as part of a new campaign – Feed the Future – we are calling on the government to expand the eligibility of free school meals to all children in households on universal credit, benefiting an additional 1.4 million children. Not only would this provide crucial support to families, but it would set the scene for a healthier generation of children who in turn could better contribute to a more resilient society and economy.
It’s time for the government to deliver the policy interventions that can drive their agenda and give our children the opportunity to learn and thrive, no matter where they grow up.
Kieron Boyle CEO, Impact on Urban Health
Stephanie Slater CEO, School Food Matters
James Toop CEO, Bite Back 2030
Anna Taylor Executive director, Food Foundation
Naomi Duncan CEO, Chefs in Schools
Kath Dalmeny Chief executive, Sustain
