24 Mar Government permanently extends Free school meals and Pupil Premium

Gold Jennings is delighted to announce that following a cross departmental review – which was conducted following our clients’ threat of judicial review –  the Government has decided to permanently extend Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium to children from NRPF families.

Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament

The announcement states that guidance will be published shortly.

Any queries can be directed to Rachel Etheridge in our public law department.

Rachel Etheridge of Gold Jennings says:

“This hugely important decision comes off the back of two years of litigation and before that many years of campaigning. It should mean that thousands of children from the poorest households in the UK will no longer need to worry about going hungry at school and can focus on their education. Yet, this is but one example of how the Government’s hostile environment strategy has impacted on affected children and their development. We urge the Government to review the hostile environment policies which have had such a profoundly damaging impact on our clients and others in their position”.

Read more about what led to this outcome here: Following threat of judicial review the government has agreed to continue the extension of Free School Meals for families with No Recourse to Public Funds whilst it considers a permanent change to the eligibility criteria | Gold Jennings Solicitors (matthewgold.co.uk)