We have published updated guidance on free school meals (FSM) for children in families with no recourse to public funds .

The guidance includes updated income thresholds for assessing eligibility, including new thresholds to reflect the wider rollout of expanded FSM from the 2026 to 2027 school year. Schools should use the updated guidance when checking eligibility for pupils.

We have also published a summary of recent changes to FSM policy and a sample application alongside the guidance, which you may find helpful