Universal Credit Could Exclude 120,000 Families from Free School Meals

The Children's Society has warned the Government that its plans for Universal Credit won't do anything to help the 700,000 families not entitled to free school meals and could see a further 120,000 extra families worse off.  Under Universal Credit the charity said ministers were considering limiting free school meals to households with earnings below a certain level, thought to be around £7,500 a year.  The society said that this could see 120,000 families - 350,000 school-aged children - excluded if they worked longer or earned more.  Instead, it wants the Government to give free school meals to all children in families in receipt of Universal Credit which it estimates would cost about £500 million per year.  Read more on The Children’s Society website.