#2026/551Free School Meals Information Sharing Commencement Regulations 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This regulation brings into force new information-sharing rules for free school meals and milk in England from 1 June 2026. It allows social security, asylum support and tax credit information to be shared not only with local authorities, but also with certain schools, so they can help decide whether children qualify. It also allows the same information to be used to decide whether financial support should be paid to local authorities or schools for child welfare or education. Schools, local authorities and relevant government bodies should prepare for wider data flows and clear communication with parents about eligibility decisions.
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Key Changes
- Brings section 33 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 into force in England on 1 June 2026
- Allows social security, asylum support and tax credit information to be shared with certain schools as well as local authorities
- Allows eligibility and funding decisions to be communicated to parents, local authorities and relevant schools
Obligations
What this law requires
From 1 June 2026, certain schools in England may receive and use social security, asylum support and tax credit information for the purpose of determining eligibility for free school lunches and milk.
From 1 June 2026, local authorities and relevant schools in England may use shared social security, asylum support and tax credit information to determine whether financial assistance is payable in connection with child welfare or education provision.
Persons who receive shared eligibility or financial-assistance information may communicate decisions about free school lunches, milk eligibility, or financial assistance to parents, local authorities and relevant schools in England.