Primary schools in England are facing the necessity to subsidize free school meals for infants due to a minimal 3p increase in government funding, rising from £2.58 to £2.61 per child, which falls short of inflation and rising costs. School leaders, including Joseph Howes and Paul Whiteman, criticize this increase as inadequate, noting that it leaves schools with stretched budgets to cover the true cost of meals, estimated at £3.16. The Liberal Democrats and child advocacy groups highlight the adverse impact on children, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, while urging the government to reassess funding allocations.
