PETITIONClosedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Raise income threshold for free school meals to reflect cost of living crisis
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.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
40
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 40/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 40/100,000
Background
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.