By Charlotte Webster-
Renowned celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has applauded the decision to extend free school meals until 2025 for all state primary children across London, providing much-needed relief to families grappling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The initiative, part of City Hall’s £135 million program, has been instrumental in catering to the nutritional needs of 287,000 children daily and has already delivered 17 million meals between September and Christmas.
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This extension, backed by a £140 million allocation from City Hall’s 2024-25 budget, aims to sustain the program for an additional year from September 2024.
Barnet is set to see the highest number of beneficiaries, with around 13,500 pupils in various schools across the borough, followed by Redbridge with approximately 13,000, and Newham with 12,600.
The initiative will significantly impact families in several other London boroughs, including Enfield, Brent, Havering, Harrow, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Islington, Camden, and the City.
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Chef Jamie Oliver expressed his support for the extension, stating, “This will help families make ends meet. Children having nutritious food at school is the foundation of better education. It’s more than just nourishing their bodies — it impacts their future at a time when many families are struggling, providing the nourishment their children need to thrive.”
Free school meals for all children, including secondary school pupils, had its roots in a pilot by Tower Hamlets Council in 2012 and was later adopted by City Hall a decade later. The recent extension for primary schools aims to assist families who do not qualify for government assistance, potentially saving them up to £500 for each child.
Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized the positive impact of free meals, citing personal experience and noting improved performance by children. “Teachers say how much better children are performing, with parents not having to worry about how to provide nutritious meals during the school day,” he stated.
However, Khan told the Evening Standard that his policy of providing universal free lunches in London primary schools is still not a “permanent” commitment.
Beyond the financial aspect, the extension contributes to the psychological and nutritional well-being of students.
A report by the Child Poverty Action Group and the National Education Union highlighted that free meals improve financial and psychological security for parents and enhance a child’s nutrition intake and classroom concentration.
The move comes at a crucial time, as a poll commissioned by City Hall revealed that one in three families buys less food and essentials to cope with rising living costs.
This academic year marks the first time that free school meals have been accessible to all London primary-aged pupils, bringing much-needed support to working families in poverty.
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