Burrows: School meal price rise will hit struggling families hardest

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows has warned that families already struggling with the cost of living will be “hit hard” by the Education Authority’s decision to raise the price of school meals by around 20 per cent.

The increase – equivalent to an extra 50p per meal – is due to take effect from January 2026, as part of a series of savings measures introduced by the Education Authority (EA) to tackle a £300 million funding shortfall.

Mr Burrows, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Education Spokesperson, said the decision would place further pressure on parents who are already finding it difficult to make ends meet.

“Families right across Northern Ireland are finding it harder to make ends meet. Food and energy prices remain high, and many parents are under real financial pressure. Sadly, for some children, a school meal may be the only hot meal they get in a day, so this increase could not come at a worse time,” he said.

He warned that the price rise comes amid wider economic uncertainty and could have a major cumulative impact on household budgets.

“It also comes at a point when there is significant uncertainty over whether the Chancellor will raise taxes or scale back support for households in the upcoming financial statement.

“Every extra cost adds up, and this 20 per cent increase will make life even more difficult for those who can least afford it. In a 185-day school year, this will increase costs by £92.50 per child,” he added.

Concerns over anti-poverty strategy

The East Antrim MLA also questioned how the move aligns with the Executive’s stated commitment to tackling poverty.

“There are also serious questions about how this move fits with the Executive’s wider anti-poverty approach. If tackling poverty is truly a priority, then every department and public body should be acting in a way that supports that goal,” he said.

Mr Burrows urged the Education Minister to review the decision and ensure its impact on low-income households is fully assessed.

“I will be writing to the Education Minister to ask for a full explanation of the reasons behind the increase, what consideration was given to its impact on low-income households, and to urge him to reverse this decision,” he confirmed.

Calls for reform and efficiency within the Education Authority

While recognising the financial challenges facing the Education Authority, Mr Burrows argued that better engagement with schools and greater efficiency could help offset costs without penalising families.

“There is significant waste to be found elsewhere within the Education Authority. For example, many schools cannot control their central heating, meaning that radiators lie on unnecessarily while windows remain open,” he said.

“Furthermore, teachers are expected to order their annual requisitions through a sole supplier rather than secure value for money on the free market. More direct engagement with school leaders on how the Education Authority could better meet the budgetary challenges it faces would be an appropriate start.”

The Education Authority recently confirmed that the school meal price rise would be part of a wider package of £30 million in savings designed to reduce its deficit. It stressed that pupils entitled to free school meals would not be affected by the change, and that prices would still remain “well below the cost of producing a meal.”

However, Mr Burrows said that for many working families just above the eligibility threshold, the increase will “further squeeze already tight budgets.”