English schools left to subsidise infants’ free meals after 3p funding increase, say leaders

Department for Education criticised over funding rise from 2.58 to 2.61 per child per meal in September

Primary schools in England will be forced to subsidise free school meals for infants from their own budgets after the government's pitiful" 3p increase in funding, according to school leaders.

The Department for Education announced that its funding for universal infant free school meals would rise from 2.58 to 2.61 per child in September, with the 3p rise well below expected inflation and wage increases facing schools.