UK to expand free school meals, aiming to help over half a million children from poorer families.

The UK government plans to expand free school meals to all children from households claiming Universal Credit, benefiting over half a million more children starting in September 2026. Charities welcome the move but call for the abolition of the two-child benefit cap to further tackle child poverty. The government claims this change will lift 100,000 children out of poverty, though experts suggest the impact may be smaller.