London’s £135 m Boost Means Kids Get Free Lunches—And They’re Loving It
Did you know that over 17 million free school meals have already been handed out to primary school kids in London this term? Thanks to a record‑setting £135 million donation from Mayor Sadiq Khan, children from every borough are enjoying a hot, tasty lunch on the school day—no extra charge on the parents’ pockets.
What’s Happening and Why It Matters
- Widespread Impact – Roughly 1.4 million meals a week are being paid for.
- Cost‑Saving – Families can trim more than £440 per child over the entire school year.
- Inclusive – This is the first time every pupil in state‑funded primary schools, special schools, and pupil referral units in London gets free lunches.
Before this generous intervention, the rule was that only kids in years 3‑6 who lived on Universal Credit earning under £7,400 a year qualified. Now, every child gets a well‑balanced meal at no cost.
A Day in Hackney: Mandeville Primary & BOSH! Take Over
In Hackney’s Mandeville Primary School, celebrity chefs from the BOSH! show dropped in to whip up a special dinner together with the students. The class was thrilled to help hand‑craft their own lunches—talk about hands on! The kids even got a chance to eat the fruits of their labor, and they looked absolutely proud.
“Love Your Lunch” Challenge
The Mayor’s “Love Your Lunch” campaign encouraged pupils to create anything that captured “The best thing about school lunches is…”. Year 5 student Ishall made a poem that wowed the judges so much, he grabbed the top prize—lunches for the entire class, courtesy of BOSH! chefs. It’s a win not just for him but for the whole school.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Message
“I’m thrilled to have already financed 17 million free meals this term—hundreds of thousands of youngsters benefit every day,” Khan said. He added that the meals make a real difference for kids, especially during this heavy cost‑of‑living crisis. “I am delighted that Ishall’s poem captures why these meals matter and that her class enjoys a meal they helped create. I’ll keep working to support families and build a better London for all.”
What’s Next?
- The Mayor has set aside over £3.5 million for extra free meals during holidays and weekends.
- Other initiatives include a £3.46 billion investment in affordable housing, £400 million for skills and employment programs, and over £80 million tackling fuel poverty and food insecurity.
All in all, London’s new free lunch scheme is not just a nice perk—it’s a game‑changer for families, a sweet boost for kids, and a bright step toward a more equitable city.
