Price of a school lunch rises as caterers blame staff costs and inflation

Parents across England are facing higher prices for school lunches as the new school year begins.

- Sarah Marsh

Lunch providers say increases in staffing costs, including employer national insurance contributions announced by the chancellor last year, have added "significant extra pressure" to their budgets.

Food inflation is also driving costs higher. Prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 4.9% in the year to July and are now 37% higher than five years ago, according to Office for National Statistics data.

Letters sent to parents informing them of price rises acknowledged the strain on families but said changes were unavoidable if catering services were to remain viable.

At Coleham primary in Shrewsbury, meals will rise by 10p a day to £2.60 from September 2025 owing to "rising operational costs." Bridge Hall primary in Stockport said charges would increase by 8p to £2.73 - a 3.1% rise "in line with UK inflation".

Fernhurst junior school in Portsmouth confirmed a new daily rate of £2.86, and West Vale academy in Halifax £2.60. Kingskerswell Church of England primary school in Devon increased costs to £2.75 - up by 30p.

Ministers have promised to widen eligibility for free meals from 2026, but schools warn they cannot wait that long.