More than half of parents with children newly eligible for free school meals once the scheme expands this autumn are unaware they will qualify, the Child Poverty Action Group (Cpag) has said.

The expanded eligibility is expected to result in more than half a million extra pupils becoming eligible for Free School Meals (FSMs).

The expanded scheme means that all households on the universal credit (UC) benefit, above the current £7,400 income cap, will qualify.

The survey by the Child Poverty Action Group carried out between June and early August, found that of the 201 parents in England on UC credit whose children are currently ineligible but will qualify from next month, 55 per cent were unaware they will be affected by the change.

The Child Poverty Action Group (Cpag) has urged the Government to do more to let families know of the policy change.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “While the expansion of free school meals to children in households in receipt of universal credit is enormously welcome, checking eligibility will create additional barriers and unnecessary workload for schools.

“We urge the DWP and DfE to use the records at their disposal to directly inform newly-eligible families. This would ensure they and their children benefit as soon as possible, while alleviating the burden on schools and parents.

“This situation could be avoided entirely through the introduction of auto-enrolment for free school meals, something NAHT has long called for.”