The rate of funding paid to colleges and FE providers for free student meals has increased by 5p.
FE institutions were initially funded from September based on last year’s rate of £2.53 per meal after a decision on any increase was kicked down the road because of July’s election.
But the Department for Education has confirmed today it has increased the rate to £2.58, a rise of 5p, or 2 per cent, and back-dated the increase to September.
Colleges, independent learning providers and sixth-form colleges can fund free meals for disadvantaged students between 16 and 18. Funding is also available for disadvantaged 19-year-olds who started their studies before they turned 19.
The policy was extended to the further education sector in 2014-15 after it was available to school children for decades. Disadvantaged students are those who, or whose parents receive at least one benefit from the government.
The funding rate was lifted for the first time last year, going from from £2.41 to £2.53. But principals warned at the time fell short of rising food costs.
There are 377 colleges and FE training providers currently in receipt of free meals funding, totalling £36,878,610 in 2024/25. A 2 per cent increase to £2.58 will increase allocations by £737,572.
DfE said providers will receive an additional payment in February and will receive their final one-third payment for the academic year in April as usual.
I’m sure there will be those that might say because ONS food inflation (Oct 24) was 1.8% that a 2% bump in free school meal funding is adequate, even generous.
But then if you go back a year when FSM funding went from £2.41 to £2.53 (c5%), food inflation was c9% and in March 2023 (compared to March 2022) it stood at 19.3%.
So the damage was done then and hasn’t been repaired since. This is just a continuation of underfunding. (smaller portions or lower quality? which is it to be…)