FSM eligibility nears 2million, as union calls for change

The number of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) has increased again, rising to just under 1.9million pupils. The Department for Education’s (DfE) latest ‘schools, pupils and their characteristics’ data release shows that in January this year 22.5 per cent of pupils were eligible for FSM, up from 20.8 per cent in 2021.

In the data release the DfE notes that transitional protections put in place during the ongoing roll out of universal credit has meant some pupils retaining their eligibility for FSM for longer than they otherwise would. They also note the impact of the covid pandemic in driving increased FSM eligibility. Since the beginning of the covid pandemic, the number of pupils eligible for FSM has increased by 32 per cent.

However Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the ASCL union, argued that despite the increase in eligibility – which she described as ‘shocking’ – support was still not reaching all those who needed it. She commented ‘Even more shocking is the fact that current eligibility does not even capture all the children who need help. Free school meal eligibility now applies to 22.5 per cent of pupils, but we know that the level of child poverty is about 30 per cent. We are campaigning, along with other organisations, for all children whose families are in receipt of Universal Credit to be eligible for free school meals in order to extend this support to all those in need. But the government must also recognise the pressing need to do more for these children and their families in general.’

A DfE spokesperson said: ‘We communicate regularly with schools and councils so they know what is available for these children. We know millions of families are struggling with the rising cost of living, which is why we are providing over £37bn to target those with the greatest need.’

Within the wider FSM figures, there was detail which revealed significant variations both geographically and between different pupil groups. For example the lowest rate of FSM eligibility was in south east England at 17.6 per cent, compared to a high of 29.1 per cent in north east England. Meanwhile 51.9 per cent of pupils from Gypsy and Roma ethnic groups were eligible for FSM, as well as 40.5 per cent of Black Caribbean pupils. Eligibility for pupils from of White British ethnicity was 21.6 per cent and the lowest rate of eligibility was among pupils from Indian ethnic groups at 7.5 per cent.

The data set also provided information about the take up of the universal infant free school meal (UIFSM) offer for pupils in EYFS and Key Stage 1. On the census day in January 2022 1.6 million infant pupils, or 85 per cent, were recorded as taking a free school meal on census day. Of these, 1.3 million would not normally be eligible for FSM, and therefore received their meal solely under the UIFSM policy.

Full data: https://tinyurl.com/3fp48dfe