More than 3 million children in families receiving Universal Credit in England are now eligible for free school meals, the Department for Education said on September 1.
The change is part of a wider package that includes 1,400 new free breakfast clubs. These clubs give children a healthy meal before lessons and can also reduce the cost of before-school childcare.
The government also says 9,000 childcare places will be delivered from September through about 450 new or expanded school-based nurseries. Limits on branded school uniform requirements are intended to ease another familiar back-to-school expense.
Families using the meals, breakfast clubs and uniform support could save up to £1,200 a year, according to the department. The practical help is designed to make it easier for children to arrive fed, focused and ready to learn.
