Overview

This bill aims to automate the registration of children eligible for free school meals in England and Wales. Local authorities will be responsible for identifying eligible children and informing schools, while schools will be required to provide meals to those identified, with an opt-out provision for families.

Description

The bill mandates local education authorities (LEAs) to identify all children eligible for free school meals ("qualifying children") within their areas. The Secretary of State will issue regulations empowering LEAs and other relevant bodies to obtain and share necessary information. LEAs must then inform relevant schools of qualifying children. State-funded schools must provide free school meals to all qualifying children, whether or not they were identified by the LEA. However, parents/guardians can opt their children out of the scheme. The bill also emphasizes maintaining the confidentiality of children and families involved. The bill applies to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly state the cost. However, it is likely to result in increased government spending due to the automatic enrollment of eligible children and the administration of the automated system. The exact financial implications would depend on the number of newly enrolled children and the administrative costs involved in data sharing and management. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Local Education Authorities (LEAs): LEAs will have increased responsibilities in identifying eligible children and managing data sharing.
• Schools: State-funded schools will have a legal duty to provide free school meals to all qualifying children, increasing their workload and potentially their costs.
• Eligible Children and their Families: Eligible children will automatically receive free school meals unless their parents/guardians opt out. Families will benefit from easier access to free school meals.
• Government Departments and Agencies: Relevant departments and agencies may be involved in data sharing to support the identification of eligible children.

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