Primary school children in state-funded schools in London will get free school meals for the 2023-24 school year. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is providing the funding as an emergency cost of living support measure. 

The Mayor recognises that families are in urgent need of support. The meals will help families with the spiralling cost of living by making sure that children in state-funded London schools will receive free school meals in this academic year.

The introduction of universal free school meals for the 2023-24 academic year could save families upwards of £440 per child^*.

This is vital support to families who are facing a cost of living crisis. This funding will ensure that primary school children will get at least one nutritious meal a day. All children deserve that safety net.

Register with your council for free school meals

Children will receive their free school meal under the Mayor’s scheme automatically, but it is really important that parents and guardians continue to complete their school or borough’s registration form because a child may be eligible for extra funding for their school from the government, which is worth £1,300 per year.

In some boroughs and schools there are also extra entitlements parents and guardians might be eligible for, such as support for food in the school holidays.

Find more information about how to register for government free school meals by contacting the school office.