Expanding free school meals: Exploring the wider economic benefits

In October 2022, Impact on Urban Health published a cost benefit analysis of the expansion of free school meals (FSM) in England. This analysis presents an update to that piece of work, estimating the wider economic contribution of expanding free school meals (FSMs) across primary and secondary schools for scenarios within Greater London and across England.

Whilst the October 2022 report was focused on the benefits to direct beneficiaries (i.e., eligible children and their households) with respect to improved health outcomes, educational attainment and employment, this report focuses on the wider contribution stimulated by the supply chain activities from expanding FSM.