Petitions/Raise income threshold for free school meals to reflect cost of living crisis
StatusClosed
Opened13 May 2025
Closes13 Nov 2025
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Increase the current limit of £7,400 annual net earned income for families receiving Universal Credit in order to receive free school meals, to a more realistic and sustainable level that reflects the rising cost of living.

We think access to free school meals is essential for ensuring that children receive nutritious food during the school day. Good nutrition is linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and overall child well-being. By raising the income threshold, we think we could provide more children with the support they need to thrive.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Michelle Welsh
1Michelle Welsh MP
Sherwood Forest
3
Wendy Morton
2Wendy Morton MP
Aldridge-Brownhills
1
Sean Woodcock
3Sean Woodcock MP
Banbury
1
Dawn Butler
4Dawn Butler MP
Brent East
1
Kerry McCarthy
5Kerry McCarthy MP
Bristol East
1
Darren Jones
6Darren Jones MP
Bristol North West
1
Karin Smyth
7Karin Smyth MP
Bristol South
1
Sir Lindsay Hoyle
8Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP
Chorley
1
Emma Foody
9Emma Foody MP
Cramlington and Killingworth
1
Stuart Andrew
10Stuart Andrew MP
Daventry
1
Raise income threshold for free school meals to reflect cost of living crisis — Petitions