Free school meals are a long-standing government program in the UK, and the Labour government has actively expanded eligibility. As of June 2026: - Free school meals already existed for eligible children in England (those from households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings below £7,400, plus other qualifying benefit recipients). Around 2.2 million children (approximately 25.7% of state school pupils) were registered. - In June 2025, the government announced a major expansion: from the start of the 2026–2027 academic year (September 2026), all children in households receiving Universal Credit would be entitled to free school meals, regardless of income. This was projected to benefit over 500,000 additional children, funded by over £1 billion in spending. - The government also continued free school meals provision for all infant pupils (Reception to Year 2) in England, a policy in place since 2014. The claim as stated — "The Government is providing free school meals" — is accurate. The government does provide free school meals to eligible children and was actively expanding the program. The claim does not assert universal free school meals for all pupils, so the means-tested nature of the program does not contradict the statement. Sources: - GOV.UK: "Over half a million more children to get free school meals" — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-half-a-million-more-children-to-get-free-school-meals - GOV.UK: "Free school meals: guidance for local authorities, local authority maintained schools, academies and free schools" — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools-and-local-authorities/free-school-meals-guidance-for-local-authority-local-authority-maintained-schools-academies-and-free-schools - BBC News: "Free school meal rule change to make 500,000 more pupils eligible" — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr5mr5l2d1o