DfE publishes updated guidance on free school meals
11 May 2026
The Department for Education (DfE) has published updated guidance on free school meals for schools, local authorities and further education providers.
This intends to clarify how the new free meals entitlement will work, support the preparation that is already underway and enable delivery of free meals to eligible pupils from day one. The updated guides include:
- Free school meals: guidance for schools and local authorities - GOV.UK – link to main free school meals guidance
- Free school meals expansion grant: methodology - GOV.UK – separate advice on new grant being made available to ensure pupils becoming eligible under the expanded free school meals criteria attract funding
- Free meals in further education guide - GOV.UK – guidance for further education providers