Faith representatives at Labour Party Conference call for free school meals for all

Faith leaders nationwide, led by Church Wigan in Andy Burnham’s constituency, came together on Sunday for a national day of prayer calling on the Prime Minister to extend Free School Meals to all primary school children.

To mark the day, faith leaders and campaigners turned out at the Labour Party’s official Sunday service at St James in the City in Liverpool, at the start of the party conference week.

Church Wigan, in a call to action and issuing a prayer for Free School Meals for All, urged the government to extend free school meals to every primary school child.

Revd Sandra Jones, of Church Wigan, said: “This is important because there are so many families who are struggling financially. And if all primary school children can get a free school meal, this will help families, especially those families who aren’t entitled to free school meals but are living just above the threshold, who are just struggling because of the cost of living rise – those who are worried about what’s going to happen in the winter, paying bills, and the increase in food prices. If all our children could have a school meal, it would make a huge difference to the children in school.”

Liz Stockley, chief executive of the British Dietetic Association, representing more than 10,000 dietitians in the country, added: “With around a third of a child’s weekday meals potentially eaten at school, the food provided in schools has an important role to play in shaping children’s diets and supporting their health and development. School meals are one of the most significant opportunities we have to improve children’s diets, tackle food insecurity and reduce health inequalities.”

The action followed the government’s extension of free school meals to children with a parent or carer on Universal Credit that came into effect this school year but still leaves many families in need without help.

Accordig to ONS, the price of food has increased by 30.1 per cent between April 2022 and July 2026. Recent polling from YouGov commissioned by the National Education Union’s No Child Left Behind campaign revealed that nearly one third of parents last year had to cut the quantity or variety of their food shop to cope with cost of living.

As mayor, Andy Burnham was the first politician to join the National Education Union’s demand for free school meals for all. The No Child Left Behind coalition includes leading faith organisations including Caritas networks, the Anglican dioceses of Liverpool and London, the Methodist Church, United Reform Church and Baptist Union.

Annabeth Taylor, of Caritas Salford, said: “Catholic Social Teaching speaks clearly of human dignity and the common good, reminding us of our responsibility to take care of those who are most in need. This is why we support free school meals for all.

“A universal approach recognises that children shouldn’t have to prove hardship before they can eat. Free school meals for all would remove stigma, support families facing fluctuating financial pressures, and give all children a better chance of engaging with the school day.

“Research we have carried out found that too many children are going to school hungry, and this makes learning harder, impacts confidence and narrows opportunities. If we are to build a society in which every child can flourish, we must extend free school meals so that no child goes without.”

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: