CCN Dialogues - Free School Meals

Our Dialogues publications are a series of think pieces dedicated to specific subjects, supported by our partners.

This report examines forthcoming changes to Free School Meal (FSM) entitlement in 2026 and sets out how councils can prepare by adopting opt‑out auto‑enrolment systems. It highlights work by Basis and Bremner & Co, who have supported six councils – including two-tier authorities Devon County Council and Gloucestershire County Council  – to implement legally compliant opt‑out systems. These have identified over 4,000 additional eligible pupils and unlocked more than £9 million in new school funding.  Major policy changes take effect in September 2026, including extension of FSM eligibility to all households receiving Universal Credit, adding an estimated half a million eligible children, and the ending of transitional protections. These changes pose significant operational challenges for schools and council and increase the risk that families fall through the gaps.

The report concludes that councils must act now to prepare for these changes which are on the horizon. The study suggests that many children eligible for FSM are currently not registered due to administrative complexity, stigma, or lack of awareness; national estimates suggest under‑registration may be as high as 11%. These missed registrations mean families potentially lose out on support worth up to £500 per child annually, while schools and local authorities miss out on some funding streams which use FSM as a proxy for disadvantage such as the Pupil Premium.

‍
Click here to view a webinar we held with Basis and Bremner & Co following the publication of the report.