Record Number of Pupils in England Receiving Free School Meals

A record two point one million state school pupils in England are now receiving free school meals. The Department for Education reports that twenty-four point six percent of students are eligible for free meals, up from last year’s twenty-three point eight percent. The teaching workforce saw minimal growth, and vacancies have surged to two thousand eight hundred in twenty twenty-three.

A record 2.1 million state school pupils in England are now receiving free school meals, marking an increase of 75,000 in the past year.

According to the Department for Education (DfE), 24.6% of students are eligible for free meals, rising from last year’s 23.8%.

Eligibility is based on parents or carers receiving benefits or universal credit with a household income below £7,400 after tax.

Child poverty campaigners argue that the figures understate the need, with an estimated 900,000 more children living in poverty but ineligible for FSM.

The number of young carers has also increased to 54,000 from 39,000 last year.

Additionally, attendance at special educational needs schools has jumped to 157,000 from 105,000 in 2015-16.

The teaching workforce saw minimal growth with just 259 new recruits, while vacancies have surged to 2,800 in 2023.

Despite speculation of declining numbers, private school attendance increased by 1,500 to a total of 593,000 pupils.