Free school meals rolled out to pupils in years 7 and 8

Free school meals are being rolled out across Wales for Year 7 and 8 learners from households receiving Universal Credit, regardless of their household income.

All local authorities will be serving meals to eligible learners by January 2027, with over half of Welsh local authorities already providing free school meals under the expanded scheme.

Parents and carers of Year 7 and 8 learners receiving Universal Credit should register for free school meals via their local authority so their child can access a meal.

Expanding access to free school meals is a Welsh Government Programme for Government commitment. Previously secondary school learners could only receive free school meals if their family received Universal Credit and their household earnings were less than £7,400, not including benefits.

A recent interim evaluation of Universal Primary Free School Meals found high awareness and uptake, benefitting learners and families, particularly in relation to wellbeing and financial savings. 

Additionally, Primary school meals have been made healthier. From October 31^st  the new Healthy Eating in Schools regulations came into force. These regulations changed what foods can be served in schools, increasing fruits and vegetables and limiting high sugar and fried foods, to ensure every child has access to balanced, nutritious diet. School food will also be an early focus area during the development of the new Food Strategy for Wales

Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Anna Brychan, said:

“This roll out to leaners in Year 7 and 8 marks the first step in our commitment to extend free school meals to more secondary pupils, ensuring that support reaches families who need it most. Access to nutritious food improves concentration, attainment and overall health and we’ve already seen through Universal Primary Free School Meals how much difference this makes to families and learners.  I encourage eligible parents and carers with children in Year 7 and 8 to register with their local authority so they can access free school meals.”

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality, Sioned Williams said:

"Expanding free school meals into secondary schools will make a real difference to pupils' daily lives. Extending eligibility to more families on Universal Credit is an important step in our wider efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce inequality across Wales.

These include the rollout of what will be the most generous childcare offer in the UK, and the Cynnal child payment pilot for low-income families once we receive assurances from the UK Government that they would not penalise those who receive the payment. This is all underpinned by the development of a new Child Poverty Strategy with clear targets and accountability.”

ENDS