EPI calls for national auto-enrolment system for free school meals

The government should implement a centralised system of auto-enrolment for free school meals (FSM) to ensure all eligible pupils receive the support they are entitled to, according to new research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI).

The study found that large numbers of children who qualify for FSM are not registered due to complex application processes, inconsistent local practices and lack of awareness among families.

Analysing the national Millennium Cohort Study and Department for Education datasets, EPI found that up to one fifth of pupils in very disadvantaged families were not consistently registered for FSM at both primary and secondary level. 

Children in poverty who were not registered when entitled showed similar levels of deprivation to those who were, suggesting that unregistered pupils experience comparable disadvantage.

While the report welcomed the Department for Education’s decision to extend FSM eligibility to all children in families claiming Universal Credit from September 2026, it said the change “does not go far enough” to address inequities in access.

Among its recommendations, EPI called for the creation of a national auto-enrolment system, expansion of FSM eligibility to preschool children, and clearer guidance for nurseries and families with uncertain immigration status. 

Dr Tammy Campbell, co-director for early childhood and wellbeing at EPI, said the findings show a strong social justice case for reform.

She said: “If government already holds the data to identify eligible children, it should ensure free school meals reach them.”

Responding to the report on registration for free school meals, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “This report includes several sensible recommendations and NAHT has long called for auto-enrolment of pupils for free school meals.

“Too many eligible families living in poverty are currently missing out on free meals for their children and registration also unlocks vital pupil premium funding for schools to help disadvantaged pupils.”

He added: “We would urge the government to use the opportunity afforded by its welcome move to roll-out free school meals for children in all households in receipt of universal credit next year to also introduce auto-enrolment and ensure more families benefit.

“Poverty harms not only children’s health and wellbeing, but also their ability to focus and flourish at school, and this would be a small but important step towards the government’s stated mission of tackling the issue as we await the recommendations of its child poverty taskforce.”