The School Meal Debt Fund has helped families with than 70,000 cases of support to pay for School Meal Debt. This was made possible because of a £2.9 million investment. The School Meal Debt Fund started in May 2024. It gave money to 30 councils that asked for help to pay for School Meal Debt that families owed before 31 March 2024.
The reason for the School Meal Debt Fund is that people are having a time paying for things they need. There is also a concern that School Meal Debt can be very bad for children. The School Meal Debt Fund is trying to help families who are struggling with School Meal Debt.
The report that came out today talks about what doing to stop School Meal Debt from happening and to manage it. Councils are doing things like making payment plans that’re easy to follow making it simpler for people to apply for free School Meal and giving more pupils free School Meal. The School Meal Debt Fund is helping councils to do these things.
The Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said that no child should have to worry about School Meal Debt or see their family struggle to pay for School Meal. She said that the report shows how councils are helping families in an practical way. For example they are making it easier for people to apply for School Meal. They are working directly with families who are having a hard time paying for things. The School Meal Debt Fund is a part of this work.
However she also said that School Meal Debt is still a problem and counsellors need to keep finding families who need help. They also need to stop families from owing money for School Meal. The School Meal Debt Fund is trying to help with this. Now than 230,000 pupils get free School Meal. This can save families around £450 per child each year if they use the School Meal every school day. The School Meal Debt Fund is making a difference to these families.
The School Meal Debt Fund and the 2026-27 Budget will also make free School Meal available to a 5,500 pupils. This is part of the governments plan to stop child poverty and give every child the possible start in life. The government is trying to help families, with School Meal Debt and make sure every child gets the food they need. The School Meal Debt Fund is a part of this plan and it will continue to help families with School Meal Debt.
By Karis Harwood