The capital’s mayor has said his universal free school meals initiative has secured almost £50 million in additional funding for disadvantaged pupils across London.

Sadiq Khan’s programme, which has provided complimentary meals to all state primary pupils since autumn 2023, has discovered more than 20,200 pupils of varying ages who were previously unregistered but qualified for assistance. This money supplements the £500 per pupil, per year that families have saved since the scheme launched, according to figures published by the mayor’s office.

The cash, accessed through the government’s pupil premium mechanism, enables schools to purchase additional resources and provide focused support for pupils from less affluent backgrounds.

Mr Khan stated that providing free meals to children in London’s state primary schools daily had transformed circumstances for families, pupils and educators.

He explained that these nutritious meals were helping children maximise their school experience while assisting households across the city, and that it was encouraging that the programme had attracted nearly £50 million in extra funding for disadvantaged pupils. This was enabling schools to deliver targeted assistance and reducing financial strain on families while creating a more equitable London.

City Hall collaborated with London’s boroughs to streamline and enhance the pupil premium application system, which depends on free school meal eligibility.

Previously, certain schools failed to receive this funding because not all qualifying families were identified or helped to submit the required paperwork. Following the new approach, 28 boroughs uncovered more than 20,200 pupils who had previously gone unregistered.

This has generated £25.9 million in pupil premium funding plus an additional £19.9 million in Ever 6 funding, which backs schools based on pupils registered for free meals during the past six years.

Simon Hogg, leader of Wandsworth Council, stated that the borough had taken active measures to ensure every child entitled to support was identified and able to benefit.

As well as broadening local eligibility, the council enhanced its systems and introduced measures including automatic registration, enabling the identification of more than 1,100 additional children qualifying for free meals, including 438 in January alone. This had secured over £2 million in extra funding for local schools, helping them provide focused support for disadvantaged pupils.

The mayor’s office reported that the funding had enhanced resources for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, along with assistance for mentoring schemes, breakfast clubs and after-school activities, and staff development.

The initiative had also helped parents obtain council grants for school uniforms. The free school meals scheme has so far provided more than 115 million meals to London’s primary pupils.

Mr Khan has committed that the initiative will continue for the duration of his mayoralty.

Louise Nichols, executive head of LEAP Federation Schools in Hackney, stated that pupil premium funding made a significant impact for LEAP Federation schools in supporting the most disadvantaged children and their families in Hackney.

She noted that the mayor’s backing for universal registration was a practical initiative that was increasing school funding and enhancing opportunities for children across London.