PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Make school dinners free for all children and young people under 18
The Government should provide free school meals for all children and young people under the age of 18 in education.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
7
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 7/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 7/100,000
Background
The law requires all children to remain in education until the age of 18, yet families are expected to pay for meals while children are in compulsory education. This is unfair.
Making school meals free would:
Ensure every child has at least one nutritious hot meal per day.
Ease the cost-of-living burden.
Improve concentration, behaviour, and learning outcomes.
Promote equality, as no child is disadvantaged.
If education is compulsory, access to food during that time should be guaranteed.