Laura Sharman 10 May 2017

Labour's free school meals would cost £950m a year finds research

Labour’s pledge to provide free school meals for all primary pupils would cost £950m a year, new analysis has revealed.

Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found the proposal would generate direct costs of £800m a year for the Government. It would also result in an extra £150m a year in extra funding for the devolved nations through the Barnett Formula.

The IFS also said the extension would require an upfront cost of £225m to upgrade school facilities.

The briefing stated: ‘Extending free school meals to all primary school children would cost around £950m each year. It would not directly benefit the poorest children, who are already entitled to free lunches.

‘While there is some evidence it might raise attainment overall, we don't understand how or why, and so the effect of extending this nationwide is uncertain. In the context of constrained public resources it is important to be much clearer about effectiveness before spending a large amount of money on a new universal entitlement.’

The IFS pointed to a pilot project undertaken in 2012 that found extending free school lunches to all Year 6 students in Newham and Durham helped children make an extra two months’ progress over a two-year period.

However, researchers warned that other policies could provide a cheaper and more effective way of improving education and health outcomes. For example, breakfast clubs in disadvantaged schools could deliver similar academic benefits to universal free school meals at a tenth of the cost per pupil.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Temporary Accommodation Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
As with many other Boroughs in the capital, tackling homelessness is a high priority. The Temporary Accommodation Procurement Officer will be required to source new business to increase the supply of properties based on the demand by building relationship 90 Putney Bridge Road, Twickenham
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & Community

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner