Expanded Free School Meals will lift children out of poverty

Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody has supported the Labour government’s announcement to expand Free School Meal entitlements to over 500,000 more children.

From September 2026, all children across the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency whose families get Universal Credit will get a free, healthy lunch at school every day. This will help families save money and make sure children get the food they need to do well in school.

This change will benefit over 3,900 children in the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency, and more than 100,000 children across the North East. Currently only children from families earning less than £7,400 a year can get free school meals.

Emma Foody MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, said:

“Extending free school meals to more families will help to tackle the cost of living and lift children out of poverty across my Cramlington and Killingworth constituency, and the country.

“Child poverty is a stain on our region and this action is another step from the Labour government in tackling this vital issue, support working people and expand opportunity”.