Expanding Free School Meals and the Next Step: Scrapping the Two-Child Benefit Cap

At Toynbee Hall, we are committed to supporting families and communities in East London. Recent government initiatives have brought both relief and renewed focus on the challenges faced by low-income households. One significant development is the expansion of free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit. However, as we celebrate this progress, we must also advocate for the next crucial step: scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Expanding Free School Meals: A Step Forward

In a landmark policy shift, the UK government has announced that, starting in September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals. This expansion is expected to benefit approximately 500,000 additional children in England, lifting around 100,000 out of poverty and providing substantial financial relief to families. The initiative aims to improve children’s learning conditions and provide financial relief to families.

The Two-Child Benefit Cap: A Barrier to Progress

While the expansion of free school meals is a positive step, it highlights the urgent need to address the two-child benefit cap. Introduced in 2017, this policy restricts families to receiving child benefits for only two children, regardless of the number of children in the household. Currently, approximately 1.5 million children in the UK live in households affected by this cap.

The Case for Scrapping the Two-Child Benefit Cap

Research indicates that removing the two-child benefit cap would significantly reduce child poverty. Estimates suggest that scrapping the cap could lift over 500,000 children out of poverty and reduce the economic cost of child poverty by £3.2 billion annually. Additionally, it would lower demand for public services by £1.7 billion a year and result in higher annual net earnings by £1 billion over the longer term.

Next Steps:

At Toynbee Hall, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. While the expansion of free school meals is a commendable step, it is not enough. We must continue to advocate for policies that address the root causes of poverty and ensure that all families have the support they need to flourish.

We encourage our community members to engage with policymakers, raise awareness about the importance of scrapping the two-child benefit cap, and support initiatives that aim to reduce child poverty. Together, we can work towards a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.