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Written question asked by Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 21 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 June 2026. It was answered by Olivia Bailey (Labour) on Friday, 5 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

School Meals: Hertfordshire

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils have received universal school meals for infants in each Hertfordshire constituency (a) this year (b) in total since the policy was introduced.

Answer

The department holds the data for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) taken in Hertfordshire since the policy was introduced, but not at constituency level. This data is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and characteristics’ publication. The most recent version was published in June 2025 and the next is scheduled for summer 2026.

Information on the number of infant pupils taking a meal in Hertfordshire (and England) for UIFSM between 2015/16 and 2024/25 can be found at https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25#section-free-school-meals-eligibility and https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/31364812-04d8-4846-70c8-08deb7cf662b.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3943
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Hertfordshire School meals
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk