Up to 35,000 children in Bristol could benefit from Lib Dem free school meals victory

Following a long-standing local and national campaign from the Liberal Democrats for the expansion of free school meals, the Government has finally adopted the proposals.

Figures published by the Government suggest that up to 35,889 young people in Bristol could benefit from the change, which should see over 4 million more children across the country receiving free school meals by 2026/27.

Responding to the announcement, local Liberal Democrat lead for Children and Young People Cllr Andrew Varney (Brislington West) said: 

“As families have struggled with the cost-of-living crisis, too many have had to choose between heating and sending their children to school with lunch. That should never have happened.

“Thanks to the efforts of hard-working Lib Dem MPs, children across the country and in Bristol are finally on track to receive the meals they need to succeed in school. 

“Liberal Democrats will continue to push for every child to get the good start in life that they deserve. This includes expanding early years pupil premium, automatic registration for those entitled to free school meals, and ending the two-child benefit cap”.

Notes to Editor: 

• Click here to see Liberal Democrat analysis on how many school children will benefit in each English area (tab 1), based on Government figures.  Please note that the estimates for the number of children benefitting is for the financial year 2026/27.
• The Liberal Democrats have consistently put pressure on the Government on the issue including a recent amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which the Government voted down, to expand free school meals to all children in poverty.
• A pledge to ‘Lobby central government to increase early years pupil premium and extend universal free school meals beyond infants’ was included in the 2021 Bristol Liberal Democrats Manifesto.