For some kids, school lunches are the best meal they get. Now, that lunch is costing more, and schools are telling parents to expect higher prices.
5p or 20p might sound small, but for families already struggling with bills, it’s another problem. If you have more than one kid, those pennies add up to £20–£30 extra each month. Food prices are high and school lunches have become another worry.
What’s the Deal?
It’s not schools trying to be difficult. Principals and kitchen staff say it just costs more to run the kitchens, so prices have to go up.
Why?
Food: Bread, milk, fruit, and meat are costing everyone more.
Energy: Ovens, fridges, and dishwashers use a lot of power, and electricity and gas are expensive.
Staff: Schools and caterers need to pay staff better wages, and that increases costs.
Right now, the government pays £2.61 per free school lunch. Surveys show it costs about £3.00–£3.20 to make something good and healthy. So schools have a choice: raise prices or buy cheaper food.
Many schools have raised prices, like:
Kingskerswell Primary in Devon: Meals are now £2.75 a day, up 30p.
Bridge Hall Primary in Stockport: Lunches are now £2.73, up 8p.
Coleham Primary in Shrewsbury: Now charges £2.60.
These small changes make a big difference to families.
What Parents Say:
If you have two primary school kids eating hot school lunches five days a week, that’s 50 meals a month. A 20p increase per meal means an extra £10 a month, or £120 a year. Some families could use that money for groceries or their heating bill.
Parents are talking about it at school and online. A mom from Manchester said everything’s getting more expensive, it feels like another thing to take care of.
Some parents are thinking about packing lunches, but that’s hard too because sandwiches, fruit, and snacks are getting more expensive. If you work, making lunch every day takes time.
Teachers are concerned too. A primary teacher in Leeds said you can tell when kids are hungry. They’re tired and can’t focus, and affects their learning! Lunch matters more than simple food.
The System Needs Help
These price increases in places aren’t random. They show the system needs help. For a while now, expenses have been rising, but the money for school meals hasn’t so schools are trying to deal with it. The government wants more Universal Credit families to get free school meals in 2026, but many people think that’s too late. Families need help now. We shouldn’t ask kids to wait years for cheaper lunches.
What This All Means:
It’s about how costs affect families:
Family budgets: More expensive could mean fewer activities for the family or the kids.
Health: If more kids switch to packed lunches and eat cheaper unhealthy food, they might not eat as well.
Class: Families who pay full price might struggle the most.
Schools: Staff are doing their best to stay within allocated budgets.
What Can Families Do?
The government is the only one who can really change things, but here are some options.
Check If you can get free meals: Some families might not know they can claim them. Check with your local council.
Ask schools for guidance: Some schools can give families support.
See Assistance from others: Food banks, charities, and parent groups can assist.
Pack good lunches: If you pack lunches, try quick, affordable, healthy options.
Why This Matters
School lunches are more than small thing, here is how money affects kids:
Paying for a hot lunch is about being fair and giving every kid a chance to learn. When lunch prices go up families feel it and it affects the children. If things don’t change, poorer health, poorer education, and more inequality will become a much more widespread problem.
