High food prices in Britain continue to limit access to nutritious meals for a large portion of the population, ensuring that negative effects on health will persist. A recent report by The Food Foundation warns that healthier foods, in particular, have become more expensive, pushing people toward diets high in fat, sugar, and salt, as well as increased reliance on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and fast-food outlets.
“To afford the government recommended healthy diet, the most deprived fifth of the population would need to spend 45% of their disposable income on food, rising to 70% for those households with children,” the report states. The publication also highlights how price increases have widened the gap between healthy and unhealthy foods: over the past two years, the cost of healthy options like fresh vegetables and fruit has risen by over 20%, compared to 11% for less nutritious foods.
This trend makes it even more difficult for families to provide regular, healthy meals. As a result, many parents have resorted to food banks, while others skip meals to ensure their children can eat. In addition to concerns about physical health, with school health workers reporting delayed and stunted growth among pupils, these struggles also affect mental health. Parents and children alike experience stress and shame over school meal debts and the content of packed lunches. Given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, campaigners warn that without significant government intervention, the situation is unlikely to improve.
Read more: Health inequities continue to widen in the UK
The national campaign No Child Left Behind continues to advocate for universal free school meals, arguing that they would not only relieve financial pressure on families but also improve educational outcomes and overall health. Their argument is supported by London’s free school meal program in primary schools, launched in 2023, at the height of the cost-of-living crisis.
The program has seen an uptake rate of nearly 90%, with reported benefits across the board. Parents say they feel less financial stress and have more flexibility to ensure balanced meals at home, while teachers and school staff noted that students are more focused and engaged throughout the school day. Children themselves report “feeling healthier.”
No Child Left Behind and other groups are urging the Labour government to implement a similar program across England. However, current plans focus instead on expanding breakfast clubs in state-owned schools. While this measure is an improvement—especially given restrictive eligibility criteria for free school meals in England—campaigners argue that it does not go far enough, as many more children would benefit from a free lunch provided during the school day.
Dozens of MPs have recently backed a proposal to expand free school meal programs under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, but campaigners know that achieving a universal program will require even more organized pressure from trade unions, public health advocates, and the wider public.
People’s Health Dispatch is a fortnightly bulletin published by the People’s Health Movement and Peoples Dispatch. For more articles and to subscribe to People’s Health Dispatch, click here.
