Stockport Council has rolled out its new 'school meals support scheme' for the 2023/24 school term. 

By widening the eligibility boundaries, it means an additional 945 children will receive a free school meal (FSM), in addition to the 6,544 who already do. 

The scheme extends the offer of a free lunch to low-income families who are not eligible for the nationally-funded universal FSM programme.

Earlier in the year, the council in fact suggested that its school meals support scheme would see 3,000 additional children qualify for FSM. 

The actual figure of 945 may be a reduction, but nonetheless represents a 14% increase in the existing number of pupils receiving FSM. 

Support under the new scheme is available to Stockport pupils aged between seven and 18 years old during the 2023/24 academic year, whose parents or carers are in receipt of local council tax support and/or housing benefit. 

It comes after a 2022 census revealed that one in five children in Stockport were eligible for a free school meal. This represents a 44% increase since 2015.

The new council scheme targets families who are not eligible under the national FSM programme (Image - Stockport Council)

A report from the children and families scrutiny committee put the increase down to the cost-of-living crisis; particularly the rise in staple food prices. 

The same report emphasised the correlation of financial deprivation and exam results, making FSM support all the more important.

"[The] deprivation gap is translated over to educational attainment, with only 25% of children in Brinnington and Central Ward achieving five A*-C GCSEs", the report said.

"We must ensure that every child has the nutrition they need to be able to work and learn in the school day, as well as enjoy their time in the school environment.

"[...] a hot and nutritious school meal improves children's concentration and behaviour during lessons and positively impacts on school attendance, children's health and academic performance"

Councillor Jilly Julian, cabinet member for finance and resources at Stockport Council, commented: "The council's school meal support scheme has been designed with our residents in mind, and means that hundreds more families are able to access paid-for meals during term time. 

"We know that back to school time puts an additional strain on families already struggling financially, so I hope that the school meal support scheme will help to make a difference to many of our residents. It's just one of the ways that the council is looking to support the people of Stockport during this difficult economic time."

Councillor Wendy Meikle, cabinet member for children, families and education, added: "At the council, we are committed to offering the very best support for families who might be experiencing financial hardship, which is why these two schemes are vitally important to our cost-of-living support offer."

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