The Mayor of the West Midlands said a decision to extend free school meals to more children in poverty is a 'game-changer for opportunity'.

Richard Parker welcomed the Government announcement which will see tens of thousands of school children in the region get a free, nutritious school meal each day from the start of the 2026 school year.

Mr Parker previously campaigned for more free meals for primary school pupils during his bid to become Mayor in 2024 and called for a step-change in how the region supports its children and families by working with councils, headteachers and charities.

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Under the change, all children in households on Universal Credit will now be eligible for a free school meal. Curr

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