The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has celebrated a historic milestone of 100 million free school meals served to state primary school children across the capital, thanks to City Hall funding.
Since September 2023, all state primary school pupils in London have been offered free healthy meals after the Mayor stepped in with unprecedented funding to support families during the cost-of-living crisis.
This initiative has ensured that hundreds of thousands of children receive a nutritious meal every school day, saving families around £1,500 over three years per child while improving children’s health and wellbeing and strengthening school communities.
In just over two school years, 100 million meals have been provided, with each child offered 435 free lunches during this period.
Celebrating the achievement, Khan said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that 100 million meals have now been provided to children across London’s state primary schools. I know from personal experience what a difference these meals make, so to be able to ensure that hundreds of thousands of children are receiving them across London every single day brings huge personal pride.
“These healthy meals are ensuring children don’t go hungry at school, making them ready to learn and giving them the energy to make the most of everything the school day offers, while also taking the financial pressure off their families. That’s why I’ll continue to fund this unprecedented programme for as long as I am Mayor and support our next generation, as we build a fairer and better London for everyone.”
New analysis published today also reveals that schools are benefiting from £11.5 million in additional Government funding annually to support disadvantaged pupils. Previously, schools missed out on pupil premium funding, which is linked to free school meal eligibility, as not all families were registered.
Through the Mayor’s free school meals and income maximisation programmes, City Hall has helped boroughs simplify registration processes, ensuring councils have systems in place to secure millions more in funding for schools.
Sadiq Khan confirmed that funding for the free school meals programme will remain in place while he is Mayor and welcomed the Government’s decision to extend free school meals nationwide to all pupils in households on Universal Credit from the next school year.
Image credit: iStock
