An independent evaluation commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation will investigate whether rolling out free school meals to all primary pupils in London boosts exam results, attendance and wellbeing.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced £130 million funding to extend universal eligibility for free meals to 227,000 pupils in years 3 to 6 from September. It will run for one year and is funded by additional business rates income.
Professor Becky Francis, EEF chief executive, said the regional roll-out “presents an exciting opportunity for us to explore the wider benefits of universal free school meal provision”.
EEF’s findings would inform future national and regional policy, they added. It comes amid growing calls from campaign groups to widen the national free school meals policy.
