As reported in The Guardian, families across England face higher charges for school lunches this term

Providers say the government’s national insurance increase, introduced by the chancellor last year, has compounded already rising food, energy and staffing costs, leaving caterers under severe financial pressure.

Currently, around a quarter of pupils in England qualify for free school meals. Ministers have pledged to expand eligibility from 2026, but school leaders and campaigners argue the support is needed immediately.

They also warn that the government’s funding of £2.61 per meal is no longer sustainable, leaving schools to cover the shortfall.

Judith Gregory, chair of LACA – the body representing school caterers – said providers were working hard to shield families: “Food inflation has driven up the cost of school meals by more than 20% since 2020,” she said. “Without urgent action to raise funding to at least £3.45 per meal, schools will be forced to reduce options or introduce less costly ingredients, while families just above the free school meal threshold face higher charges.”

Barbara Crowther, children’s food campaign manager at Sustain, said the “true cost of a healthy, sustainable school meal” is now closer to £3–£3.20, depending on the size of the school and its catering operations.

Campaigners warn that families just missing out on free meal eligibility will be hit hardest. However, the Department for Education said: “We have taken a historic step to tackle child poverty, offering free school meals to every child from a household that claims universal credit from the start of the 2026 school year.”