asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many schoolchildren were in receipt of free school meals in 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005. [HL1277]
Data on the receipt of free school meals is only available from 1989.
1989
In 1989 the number of schoolchildren in maintained nursery and primary schools taking free school meals was 515,395, equivalent to 13 per cent (to the nearest whole number). The number of schoolchildren in maintained secondary schools taking free school meals was 235,270, equivalent to 8 per cent (to the nearest whole number). The number of schoolchildren in maintained special schools taking free school meals was 28,466, equivalent to 31 per cent (to the nearest whole number). The number of schoolchildren in all maintained schools taking free school meals was 781,362, equivalent to 11 per cent (to the nearest whole number).
1995
In 1995 the number of schoolchildren in maintained nursery and primary schools taking free school meals was 815,258, equivalent to 18.7 per cent.
The number of schoolchildren in maintained secondary schools taking free school meals was 387,554, equivalent to 13.0 per cent.
The number of schoolchildren in all special schools taking free school meals was 32,934, equivalent to 36.1 per cent.
2005
In 2005 the number of schoolchildren in maintained nursery and primary schools known to be eligible for free school meals was 717,230, equivalent to 16.9 per cent.
The number of schoolchildren in maintained secondary schools known to be eligible for free school meals was 465,520, equivalent to 14.0 per cent.
The number of schoolchildren in all special schools known to be eligible for free school meals was 30,690, equivalent to 33.6 per cent.
The latest information on pupils eligible for free school meals can be found in tables 3a, 3b and 3c of the Statistical First Release Schools and Pupils in England, January 2007 (Final), which can be found at www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000744/index.shtml.