BOROUGH MP Jen Craft has welcomed government plans to deliver free school meals to thousands of children in the borough. 

From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil in Thurrock whose household is on Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals; making life easier and more affordable for parents who struggle the most.

This move comes as part of a national commitment to expand eligibility, benefitting more than half a million more pupils across the country. Up to 7,000 children in Thurrock are set to receive free school meals from September 2026 under new eligibility rules.

This new support for families is part of Labour's plan to tackle child poverty across the country and give every child the best start to life. The scheme comes on top of targeted support for families, with urgent action including raising the national minimum wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 families through the Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.

Mrs Craft said: "Labour's expansion of free school meals will directly support parents and children in Thurrock, benefitting more than 7,000 pupils in our community. 

"I know this will make a big difference to local families, protecting family finances and lifting children out of poverty across the borough.

"I'm determined that every child in Thurrock should have the best start to life possible, so I'm delighted this targeted support will help set children up to succeed at school."