The impact of London mayor Sadiq Khan’s £130 million emergency free school meals (FSM) scheme is to be evaluated in an attempt to measure the effects on pupil outcomes.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is commissioning an independent impact evaluation of the initiative that will launch from September.
And the EEF is seeking a research team to produce evidence around the impact of universal primary free school meals to help inform future policy decisions at both regional and national levels.
Under the scheme that was announced in February, all primary pupils in London will receive FSM for the 2023 -24 academic year in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
It was estimated previously that the move will help around 270,000 primary school pupils and save families in London around £440 per child across the year.
Today, the EEF has said that while the emergency initiative was primarily intended as a cost-of-living support measure, it could also have important impacts on children’s learning, wellbeing and health.
Currently, all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are eligible for FSM.
But for older pupils in England, families receiving universal credit must earn below £7,400 a year before benefits and after tax to qualify for FSM.
Speaking in February, Mr Khan said he was “stepping forward” after years of government inaction.
He said: “The cost-of-living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support.
“I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already stretched families, but they have simply failed to act.”
Professor Becky Francis, chief executive of the EEF, said: “Protecting the wellbeing and progress of all children, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, is of the utmost importance in these tricky times.”
“It also presents an exciting opportunity for us to explore the wider benefits of universal free school meal provision.”
Those who wish to apply to be a part of the research team can find out more here.
