To ask the Secretary of State for Education when his Department plans to make an announcement on the new criteria for free school meals under universal credit.

The gradual introduction of universal credit, which is scheduled to be rolled out to the majority of claimants during 2016 and 2017, will mean that the current entitlement criteria for free school meals will no longer apply. We are currently working with the Department for Work and Pensions to simplify free school meals criteria under universal credit, while making sure that free lunches continue to be available to those families on the lowest incomes. The move to universal credit will not reduce the number of children entitled to free school meals.

We will announce our proposals in due course, and will allow time for schools, local councils and children's charities to comment on those proposals.