‘Cost of eating’ crisis: price of school lunches rise by a third in parts of England

Exclusive: Increases since 2019 also outstrip funding for free school meals as costs jump, Lib Dems find

The price of school lunches has increased by more than a third in parts of England, increasing the pressure on school finances and family budgets during the cost of living crisis, according to figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

Families with two children can be facing a bill for more than 1,000 a year for school lunches, a rise of more than 200 since 2019, because of inflation and rising energy and staff costs, according to the party's estimates.

The increases have outstripped the funding schools receive for pupils on free school meals (FSM) and the free lunches for infants up to year 2 in primary schools. This means schools have to make up the difference from their existing budgets as a result.