By the Education Magazine | June 22, 2026
The Welsh Government’s free school meals program is set to expand after the government announced an additional £15 million investment for secondary schools.
From September 2026, pupils in Years 7 and 8 from households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals without the current £7,400 income limit, helping thousands more families across Wales.
The funding includes £10 million for kitchen and dining facility upgrades and £5 million to support meal delivery.
The expansion builds on Wales’ universal free school meals program for primary school pupils and aims to tackle child poverty, support family budgets, and improve student wellbeing.
Key Facts about the Welsh Government’s free school meals
| Detail | Information |
| Investment | £15 million |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
| First Eligible Pupils | Years 7 and 8 |
| New Eligibility | All Universal Credit households |
| Goal | Expand free school meals for secondary pupils |
Who Is Eligible for Free School Meals Under the New Plan?
The expanded Welsh Government’s free school meals scheme will be available to secondary school pupils from households receiving Universal Credit.
One of the most significant changes is the removal of the previous £7,400 annual earnings threshold, which prevented some working families from qualifying for benefits despite earning above it.
School Meal Eligibility: Before vs. After the Expansion
| Criteria | Previous System | New System |
| Universal Credit Required | Yes | Yes |
| Income Limit | Below £7,400 per year | No income cap |
| Secondary School Eligibility | Limited | Expanded |
| Initial Rollout | Existing eligible pupils | Years 7 and 8 from September 2026 |
How Will the £15 Million Funding Be Used?
The Welsh Government has allocated an additional £15 million to support the expansion of free school meals for eligible secondary school pupils. The funding package is split into two categories to help schools prepare for increased demand while ensuring the successful delivery of the scheme.
- Capital Funding (£10 Million): The majority of the funding will be used to upgrade school infrastructure. Local authorities will use the investment to improve kitchen facilities, purchase catering equipment, and enhance dining areas as more pupils become eligible for free school meals.
- Revenue Funding (£5 Million): The remaining funding will support the rollout and delivery of the scheme. This investment will help schools provide free meals to the growing number of eligible secondary school pupils from September 2026.
The expansion marks the first stage of a broader plan to extend free school meal support to more secondary school pupils across Wales.
Why is the Welsh Government’s Free School Meal Plan Expanding?
The expansion of the Welsh Government’s free school meals rollout for primary school pupils between 2021 and 2024. However, many children lost access to support when they moved into secondary school because of the £7,400 income threshold for households receiving Universal Credit.
By removing the limit, the Welsh Government aims to ensure more pupils continue receiving nutritional support throughout their education, building on foundations established during the primary school years.
Officials say the move will help tackle child poverty while improving concentration, attainment, and overall well-being.
Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language Anna Brychan said:
“This work is about removing barriers to learning and supporting wellbeing. We know that access to nutritious food improves concentration, attainment and overall health“
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said, “Extending eligibility to more families on Universal Credit is an important move in our wider effort to tackle child poverty and reduce inequalities across Wales.”
What Happens Next?
The expansion of the Welsh Government’s free school meals scheme will launch in September 2026, with eligible pupils in Years 7 and 8 becoming the first to benefit from the new rules.
Backed by £15 million in funding, the initiative represents the first step in the Welsh Government’s wider commitment to extending free school meal support across secondary education.
Lessons from the initial rollout will help inform future expansion to older year groups, potentially bringing support to thousands more pupils in the years ahead.
