Tower Hamlets Council rolls out universal free school meals in primary and secondary schools

Tower Hamlets Council has become the first in England to rollout free school meals to all pupils up to the age of 16. 

Whilst the Mayor of London is rolling out free school meals for all primary school children in London for one year, Tower Hamlets Council has gone further by announcing the roll out of free school meals for all primary and secondary school pupils. 

With 47.5% of children in Tower Hamlets living below the poverty line - the highest rate in the UK - the scheme will provide vital support during the cost-of-living crisis, saving families an average of £550 per year, per child. 

Also, with nearly half of children in Tower Hamlets going into secondary school with excess weight, the scheme is a positive step towards improving the physical health of young people and promoting a healthier borough. 

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said “I am incredibly proud that Tower Hamlets has become the first in the country to provide free school meals to all primary and secondary school pupils.  I welcome the Mayor of London’s one-year funding for primary schools and hope that Tower Hamlets has demonstrated that it is possible to fund this permanently and extend to secondary schools.  With the highest poverty rate in the country the scheme provides vital financial support for families in Tower Hamlets, as well as numerous health and academic benefits”.