Nutrition and school meals
Your child could get free meals or milk at school. Schools must provide free meals for eligible pupils, paid-for meals where requested and good facilities and supervision, so pupils can eat safely.
Free school meals
In June 2025, it was announced that families who receive Universal Credit and have up to £15,390 of annual household earnings (after tax) can apply for free school meals. This is a rise from £15,000 in 2024/25.
Your child will be entitled to free school meals if they are at school or pre-school (full-time) and you get any of the following:
- Universal Credit and your household's net earnings (after tax) aren't over £15,390 per year
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Your child will also be able to get free school meals if your child has a statement of special educational needs and is designated to need a special diet.
Children or young people who get any of these benefits themselves, rather than through a parent or guardian, will also be entitled to free school meals.
Apply for free school meals
To get more information about applying for free school lunches, go to:
School meals and other food
As your children spend much of their time in school, they need nutritious food for long-term good health. This includes food that is available in the canteen, vending machines and tuck shops. A healthy, balanced diet also helps your child learn in the classroom and leads to improved educational outcomes.
To read more about nutrition standards in school meals, go to:
Packed lunches
If your child takes a packed lunch from home, they need healthy food and snacks. To read tips on what to put in their lunchbox, go to:
Milk
Free school milk is given all pupils at special schools, to those in other schools where it is necessary for their health and where a pupil does not have access to school meals. Pre-school pupils are also eligible for free milk. Subsidised milk is available to nursery, primary and post-primary pupils.