Andy Burnham Urged to Expand Free School Meals if Elected Prime Minister

Andy Burnham is being encouraged to take a bold, economically inclusive stance on the Cost of Living crisis by expanding free school meals to all primary-age children from households receiving Universal Credit. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, every child in these households attending qualifying schools would be guaranteed a free meal.

This new proposal introduces two distinct categories for benefits-based free school meals. The first, Targeted FSM, maintains the current eligibility for pupils in households with Universal Credit and annual earnings of £7,400 or less. The second, Expanded FSM, would cover children from households on Universal Credit who do not meet the existing low-income threshold but still face financial challenges.

Additionally, Burnham is advised to consider increasing taxes on investor profits to align with the rates paid by workers, promoting greater economic fairness.

Recent polling by The Guardian, surveying around 10,000 voters, suggests that adopting such progressive policies could significantly improve Labour’s standing against Reform UK and figures like Nigel Farage.

Burnham’s “No10 North” initiative in Manchester aims to revitalize regional economies across the UK, including London. He has pledged to launch the largest council house building program since the post-war era, utilizing vacant public land to lower construction costs. Central to this vision is adopting a national Housing First approach to ensure secure, affordable housing forms the cornerstone of working-class aspiration.

Regarding London, Burnham promises a surge in genuinely affordable council homes across boroughs such as Brent, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, and Hillingdon. His vision extends beyond housing to reinvigorate local towns and high streets, fostering vibrant, thriving communities supported rather than left to decline.