4 d. ago Kids on 'cloud nine' over free school meals as they 'egg PM on' for more at No10

Schoolchildren were on 'cloud nine' as they today delivered a letter to Downing Street thanking the PM for the major expansion of free school meals - but they are fighting for more

Politics

4 d. ago Tories swipe at 'chaos and confusion' in local councils after Reform UK's takeover of town halls sees a slew of resignations, flag rows, flooding fears and a bitter dispute with firefighters

A damning dossier has revealed the 'chaos and confusion' that Reform councillors are sowing across England after their local elections success on 1 May.

Events

4 d. ago Local bus services in England still declining despite investment – report

National Audit Office questions viability of many routes, with half of all operator income from public subsidyLocal bus services in England have continued to decline despite attempts by successive governments to bolster investment in services, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) report.The spending watchdog found that efforts to revive routes and attract more passengers had so far failed, with a 15% fall in the total miles operated by buses outside London since 2019 and passenger numbers still 9% below pre-Covid levels. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago School uniform grants: How thousands of parents can get £200 free cash help

You could get up to £200 toward school uniform costs if you're on a low income, claiming benefits or receiving free school meals - we explain who is eligible and how it works

Economics

7 d. ago Full list of projected change in population for local areas in England

The projections have been published by the Office for National Statistics.

Politics

8 d. ago List of people eligible for free school meals after major rule change

Everything you need to know about recent changes made to free school meal eligibility

Politics

1 week ago Families urged to check school meal support before start of summer holidays

Households with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the school holidays this summer.

Politics

2 w. ago Expansion of free school meals to eight local authorities including South Lanarkshire

Pupils in S1 to S3 whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment are now included.

Culture

2 w. ago The 10 best places to live in the UK revealed with some surprising winners

Our data team has crunched the numbers on everything from house prices and crime rates to schools, the NHS and local amenities to discover the best places to live in England - see how your area ranks using our interactive map.

Politics

2 w. ago Parents urged to check school meal support ahead of summer holidays

Households with two children could be entitled to between £150 and £288 over the school holidays this summer.

Politics

2 w. ago Free school meals warning to parents ahead of benefit being given to half a million kids

Students who are eligible for free school meals should be automatically registered to ensure no child misses out, the Education Policy Institute has demanded in a report

Events

2 w. ago Free school meal plan requires key change to stop children ‘missing out’, Labour told

Experts say children may not receive the meals they are eligible for

Events

2 w. ago West Lothian summer holiday support will include free school meals

The money is part of the free school meals programme which ensures youngsters do not lose out during the six week summer holidays which start at the end of this month.

Politics

2 w. ago Murray asks who Scots voters ‘trust to spend’ £9.1bn rise in funding

The Scottish Secretary was speaking after Chancellor Rachel Reeves laid out her spending plans for the next three years.

Economics

2 w. ago Free school meal changes in full from today's Spending Review

The Government has announced that every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will get free school meals from the 2026/27 academic year

Politics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on child poverty: free school meals are a help, but not a panacea | Editorial

Giving lunch to more pupils is a good move – but poor nutrition points to deeper problems that ministers must faceIt was Ellen Wilkinson, education minister in the Attlee government, who announced in 1946 that free school dinners would be introduced, along with free school milk, at the same time as child benefit. No doubt Rachel Reeves, who has a picture of Wilkinson on the wall of her office, is aware of this – and also that the Treasury subsequently decided the policy was unaffordable. The meals were subsidised instead.Despite these initial charges, and later price rises, poorer children did gain, and keep, an entitlement to free school meals. The announcement last week that this is being extended in England to all those whose parents or carers claim universal credit – rather than restricted to families with incomes lower than £7,400 – should be welcomed by all objectors to child poverty. Being assured of a hot lunch in the middle of the school day makes pupils’ lives be...

Politics

3 w. ago Eradicating child poverty must become Labour’s central mission

Editorial: After years when the party seemed to be undeclared disciples of austerity, the government’s conscience – prompted by some shocking electoral setbacks – has been awoken. For the country's sake, as well as its own, children must now be at the heart of everything it does, starting with free school meals

Events

3 w. ago Voices: Rachel Reeves: I saw first hand what the Tories did to kids of my generation

Conservative governments did not care about schools or communities like mine, says the chancellor, as she reveals her motivation behind Labour’s announcement to roll out free school meals for half a million children

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer vows to attack child poverty crisis after free school meals boost

Keir Starmer said expanding free school meals to more than half a million more pupils next year was a 'down payment' on the Governments plans to drive down child poverty

Events

3 w. ago Mirror Daily Digest: Top stories from 'dangerous' Ryanair flight to free school meals

In this Thursday's Mirror Daily Digest, we've pulled together the biggest stories of the day from Romeo Beckham's split from his girlfriend, to even more Winter Fuel Payments updates

Politics