‘I WHOLEHEARTEDLY welcome the decision’, says the CEO of a Devon education trust in the wake of the Government’s announcement that free school meals will be extended to include more children.

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, made the comments following the announcement that more than half a million additional pupils will become eligible for Free School Meals under new eligibility criteria.

The change means that all households receiving Universal Credit, above the current £7,400 income cap, will qualify for this support.

The new eligibility will take effect in September 2026.

Families receiving Universal Credit will be able to access free school meals starting from the 2026/27 school year.

Mr Shanks said: I wholeheartedly welcome the decision to extend free school meals to all children from families receiving universal credit.

‘At Education South West, we are committed to equity and inclusion, and this policy is a crucial step toward ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the nourishment they need to thrive in school and beyond.

‘We know that hungry children cannot learn effectively.

‘This change will not only ease the financial pressure on families but will also help create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment across our schools.

‘It is a powerful recognition that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that no child should be left behind because of circumstances beyond their control.

‘The next step now should be to introduce auto enrolment to ensure all those eligible for free school meals can claim them’.

Education South West is a trust of eight primary schools, four secondary schools, one all through school and a University Technical College all based in Devon.