THE CAMPAIGN

The National Education Union launched its demand for Free School Meals for All in September 2022.

Since then, we’ve grown to a coalition of more than 250+ civil society leaders and organisations, with 25+ public figures calling for change.

Together, we have transformed the national conversation about child hunger in our schools. Since the start of this campaign we’ve won Free School Meals for All in London for two consecutive academic years. We’ve made this a popular idea across the country. And we’re only getting started.

Read more about our journey so far below.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Campaign Launch

Campaign launches in The Mirror. 100+ civil society leaders back our demand for change.

October 2022

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE

Labour members pass a motion for Free School Meals for All. It becomes official party policy, which we call on leadership to accept.

DECEMBER 2022

Free School Meals for ALl Bill

Zarah Sultana MP introduces the Free School Meals for All Bill in Parliament. Constituents send 8,000 letters asking MPs to support it.

JANUARY – JUNE 2023

GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT

75+ MPs back Free School Meals for All. 90,000 people sign our petition to the Prime Minister.

JUNE 2023

NATIONAL Week of action

We dial up the pressure on politicians and in the press, with 80+ headlines about why it’s time for Free School Meals for All.

The campaign is now backed by 250+ civil society leaders and organisations.

SEPTEMBER 2023

LONDON DELIVERS FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL

Mayor Sadiq Khan’s emergency scheme for Free School Meals for All begins in London. 290,000 primary school children will now have a hot school dinner, every day.

October 2023

PUBLIC FIGURES BACK THE CAMPAIGN

25+ public figures — from musicians to actors, writers to comedians — call on the Prime Minister to extend Free School Meals to every primary-school child in England.

October 2023

PARTY CONFERENCE SEASON

Over 12,000 people write to Labour Leader Keir Starmer, asking the Labour Party to commit to Free School Meals for All.

School pupils leaflet attendees at Labour Party conference and ask them to back this demand for all primary school children in England.

December 2023

LANDMARK NEW REPORT

The National Education Union and Child Poverty Action Group release a new report on the qualitative impacts of Free School Meals for All in London.

The report finds that universal access to Free School Meals are a lifeline for families, reduce stigma and help improve relationships between schools and parents.

January 2024

LONDON SCHEME EXTENDED

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announces that Free School Meals for All will be extended for another school year in the capital.

That’s another year of healthier children, happier children, learning without stigma or shame.

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