Tower Hamlets has provided more than two million free school meals to secondary school pupils since the council introduced its universal free school meals scheme in September 2023.
The borough was the first in the country to extend free school meals to all secondary pupils, regardless of household income.
The scheme aims to ease the financial pressure on families struggling with the cost-of-living, while ensuring that every young person has access to a hot, healthy meal each school day.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Reaching two million meals served is a major milestone for this borough.
“It shows the scale of our commitment to tackling child hunger and giving every young person the chance to success.
“This is an investment in health, in education, and in equity.”
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said:
“Universal free school meals are making a tangible difference to families across Tower Hamlets.
"By removing the stigma and financial barriers, we are ensuring no child is left behind and that every pupil can concentrate on their learning.”
Universal free school meals provide a number of financial, health and educational benefits to children.
Nearly half of children in Tower Hamlets live below the poverty line – the highest rate in the UK.
Free school meals provide vital support for families, with an average saving of £550 per child, per year.
Eating a healthy nutritious meal supports pupils with their learning and has been shown to improve behaviour and academic achievements.
With over half of children in Tower Hamlets going into secondary school with excess weight, the scheme is also a positive step towards improving the physical health of young people and promoting a healthier borough.
The council is continuing to work with schools, catering teams and families to maintain the quality and consistency of the offer, and to make sure that every pupil benefits from the scheme.
Visit our website for more information on Universal Free School Meals in Tower Hamlets.
Posted on Wednesday 12th November 2025