Falling through the gaps: Free school meal access for children in food insecure households in England

Arnold, rosalyn ORCID: 0000-0001-5383-4349 (2025) Falling through the gaps: Free school meal access for children in food insecure households in England [Poster]

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Description

Background Food Insecurity among UK households with children is rising, yet evidence suggests free school meal (FSM) provision fails to reach all vulnerable children. Limited research has examined FSM non-uptake and ineligibility amongst food-insecure children. This study quantifies the mismatch between food insecurity and FSM receipt in England, and identifies characteristics associated with food insecurity among children not receiving FSM and with non-uptake among eligible food-insecure children. Method Using data from the 2019/20 and 2022/23 Family Resources Survey, we calculated national estimates of children aged 8-17 years in food-insecure households in England not receiving FSM using survey weights. Logistic regression identified predictors of food insecurity amongst children not receiving FSM, and predictors of non-uptake amongst eligible children in food-insecure households. Results In 2022/23, 20.7% of children were living in food-insecure households but not receiving FSM, equating to over 1.1 million children - a 32% increase since 2019. Of these, 81.4% were ineligible, while 18.6% were eligible but not receiving FSM. Risk factors for food insecurity amongst children not receiving FSM included benefit receipt and household disability. Increasing age of children and being from the South (vs. North) were associated with non-uptake among food insecure eligible children. Conclusion Current FSM eligibility thresholds fail to capture all food insecure children. Expanding eligibility is a critical first step, alongside addressing barriers to uptake. Universal FSM remains the most equitable solution, but interim measures, such as extending eligibility to all families receiving benefits and national FSM auto-enrolment for eligible children, are important first steps.

Item Type:	Poster
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Food Insecurity, School Meals, Child Poverty, Policy, England
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2025 08:35
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2025 08:35
Open Access URL:	https://inrichnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/...
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3196106
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