'It's a game changer' - mayor welcomes news that 500,000 extra children will receive free school meals

Richard Parker said the decision would transform lives.

From next year, every child with a parent receiving universal credit will be able to receive a free school lunch.

He said:  "This is the kind of policy action that genuinely transforms lives. It’s a game-changer for opportunity and for families in the West Midlands. I really welcome it.

“Since becoming Mayor, I’ve made it clear that tackling inequality is the foundation of everything I want to achieve. Hunger is a barrier to learning, to opportunity and to potential. This expansion of free school meals is a big step forward in removing that barrier and it puts money back in the pockets of families who need it most."

The Government says the expansion will provide free school meals to more than 500,000 extra children nationally, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty and would leave families up to £500 a year better off.

It is also hoped that it will improve school attendance, behaviour and educational attainment.

“This is a policy I fought for during the election. I’m proud to see it now becoming reality. I will work with our schools, local authorities and government to ensure this is rolled out successfully across the West Midlands," Mr Parker added.

He said that more than £13 million was also being invested to reduce food waste, helping surplus produce reach those who needed it most, including school kitchens.

"This announcement proves that when we put children first, the whole country benefits and it shows what’s possible when we focus on fairness and long-term opportunity," Mr Parker said.

"Inequality isn’t just a moral issue, it’s a barrier to growth. I’ll continue to push for further action, including exploring how we can move toward universal provision in primary schools and deepen support for struggling families."

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Working parents across the country are working tirelessly to provide for their families but are being held back by cost-of-living pressures.

 “My government is taking action to ease those pressures. Feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents’ pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added: “It is the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty, and today this government takes a giant step towards ending it with targeted support that puts money back in parents’ pockets."