English schools left to subsidise infants’ free meals after 3p funding increase, say leaders

The government's decision to only increase the funding for free school meals by 3p is deemed insufficient due to rising inflation and increased supplier costs, experts argue. Despite previous cuts under other governments, this meager rise doesn't cover meal production expenses, leaving many schools struggling to maintain quality without reducing essential spending. Critics like Joseph Howes and Paul Whiteman call for a closer look at actual meal costs, suggesting the increase is far below what's needed. Meanwhile, while the DfE has invested in breakfast clubs and free lunches, they acknowledge the difficulty of balancing financial pressures with meal quality.