Secondary school meal prices across Wales vary by more than £1 as the new term commences, with each Welsh council having a unique arrangement for school meals. While Wales has become the first UK nation to offer free school meals to primary school children, this offer does not extend to older children. Prices for secondary school meals differ depending on the council children live in and attend school.
Data shows that around one in five children in Wales come from families with incomes low enough to qualify for free school meals. However, for those not eligible for free meals, prices have been on the rise in some areas due to budget cuts and increasing food and energy costs. Some councils, like Swansea, have frozen prices to support families, keeping secondary school meal prices unchanged for five years.
The Welsh Government has stated that there are currently no plans to extend the universal free school meal offer to secondary school students. While those from lower-income households can access free school meals, it remains specific to eligibility rather than being a universal provision. Each council in Wales has distinct arrangements for catering in secondary schools, with prices ranging for the main meal of the day and additional food options available for purchase at varying costs.
For example, the prices for secondary school main meals in different councils are as follows: Anglesey £2.80, RCT £3.10, Cardiff £3.40, Swansea £2.40, Bridgend £2.80, Caerphilly £2.80, Carmarthenshire £2.80, Powys £2.65, Newport £2.40, Pembrokeshire £2.70, Torfaen £2.60, and so on. Eligibility for free school meals is based on criteria such as receiving certain benefits, and each child’s eligibility is determined by the local authority where they attend school.
The rollout of universal free school meals for primary pupils marks a significant milestone in Wales, with the Welsh Government investing £260 million to implement this policy. The initiative, which began in September 2022, has served nearly 30 million meals across Wales, benefiting 176,000 newly eligible pupils. While primary school children enjoy this provision, there are currently no plans to extend the offer to secondary school students.
The latest data released by the Welsh Government shows a decrease in the number of pupils eligible for free school meals compared to previous years. Despite the variations in meal prices and eligibility criteria, the focus on providing access to nutritious meals for students remains a key aspect of education policy in Wales.