A Bill to provide local authorities with the duties and powers required to identify and automatically register all children eligible for free school meals; to provide for an opt-out where the family wishes; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
13 May 2016
The Bill would require local authorities to identify children who are eligible for free school meals and automatically register them for the scheme, unless families opt out. It sets out the duties and powers needed to run automatic registration and related work to support implementation.
The Bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage for detailed examination, followed by further readings before moving to the Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 15 December 2015 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
