School Food Review statement on the expansion of free school mealsIssued September 2026Today many thousands more children across England will be fuelled for learning thanksto a free school meal. As organisations working in schools and with children, we knowthis is a huge boost for children and families.For too long, school food has been a source…
Children
Free school meals expansion – half of newly eligible parents don’t know they can get the meals
As the PM’s cost of living tour gets underway, a new survey from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) finds more than half of parents (55%) whose children will be newly eligible for free school meals (FSM) from September don’t know that they will qualify for the meals. The government expanded eligibility for FSM to all…
Budget 2025 fact sheet: Cutting the Cost of Living
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/budget-2025-fact-sheet-cutting-the-cost-of-living This Budget takes levies off energy bills to save families £150 on average next year, and up to £300 for some poorer households. The historic decision to remove the two-child limit in full from April 2026 will lift 450,000 children out of poverty -rising to around 550,000 alongside other measures announced this year, such…
Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/universal-credit-claimants-statistics-on-the-two-child-limit-policy-april-2025/universal-credit-claimants-statistics-on-the-two-child-limit-policy-april-2025 The statistics show: in April 2025, 469,780 Universal Credit households were affected by the two child limit policy: that is, they had a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017. This was an increase of 13,520 (3%) from the total number of households affected on either Universal Credit or Child…
Government revives family services, supporting 500,000 more kids
South East Hangleton Family Hub BN38BW Brighton and Hove Family Hubs Programme South East Hollingdean Family Hub BN17DY Brighton and Hove Family Hubs Programme South East Moulsecoomb Family Hub BN24SE Brighton and Hove Family Hubs Programme South East North Portslade Family Hub BN412PY Brighton and Hove Family Hubs Programme South East Tarner Family Hub BN29QE…
Empty plates and cold homes: What it’s like to grow up in poverty in 2024
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/research/empty-plates-and-cold-homes-what-its-grow-poverty-2024 Poverty affects every part of a child’s life and leaves too many struggling with their education, health and happiness. Today, more than one in four children in the UK live in poverty and around one million children are living in extreme poverty.
School uniform MoneySaving tips
With the summer holidays coming to a close, you’ve just days left to get your child’s school uniform sorted. We’ve handy tips on how to kit out the kids on the cheap. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/school-uniform-moneysaving-tips/
Help paying for your childcare
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ Government help with childcare costs for parents. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support. Find the options available to youEnter your details to help find out how you can save money on your childcare
Free school meals
Does your child qualify? And what help is there during school holidays?
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-school-meals/ If you’re on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit, your child may be able to get free school meals during term time – as well as free support during the school holidays. This guide covers who’s eligible, what you’ll get, and how to apply. Crucially, you may need to apply for…
Child benefit. What happens when my child turns 16?
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/child-benefit/#sixteen You may still be able to claim Child Benefit even after your child turns 16, provided they remain in approved full-time education or unpaid training. However, this ISN’T automatic.