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Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Thursday, 8 December 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 (named day). It was answered by Edward Timpson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Free School Meals

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that housing benefit data is used by local authorities in England to identify and automatically register all children eligible for free school meals.

Answer

We want to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility for free school meals (FSM).

We understand that some local authorities have found this approach can be an effective tactic. However, it does not provide a complete or sustainable solution to automatic registration for FSM. We do not consider further legislation to be necessary for this particular approach.

To support FSM registration, the department provides an online eligibility checking facility; and a model registration form for schools to use within their enrolment process.

The department is exploring what opportunities exist in the longer term to make FSM registration processes more efficient.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
56826
Session
2016-17
Related items
Free School Meals
Friday, 19 November 2021
Written questions
House of Commons
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Databases Housing benefit Free school meals
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk