Church Wigan leads day of prayer calling for PM Andy Burnham to make free school meals available for all

A Wigan church organisation is taking action in a campaign calling for all children to be given free school meals.

As delegates arrive for the first day of the Labour conference, faith leaders and communities across Wigan and nationwide are uniting through prayer to bring attention to the children who do not receive a hot, healthy school dinner.

Church Wigan, which is spearheading this action, is home to seven parishes and more than 50 churches, including those in prime minister Andy Burnham’s Makerfield constituency.

The national day of prayer is badged as an opportunity to reflect on the steps the new Government could take to support children and families, and promote dignity and equality in communities. 

This follows the Government’s extension of free school meals to children with a parent or carer on universal credit, which was announced in June 2025 and came into effect this school year.

But as fuel and energy prices continue to rise, working parents above the threshold will not see this relief.

Recent polling from YouGov, commissioned by the National Education Union’s No Child Left Behind campaign, revealed one third (31 per cent) of parents last year had to cut the quantity or variety of their food shop to cope with the cost of living. 

As Greater Manchester mayor, Mr Burnham was the first politician to join the NEU’s demand for free school meals for all.

Now, as prime minister, parents and teachers are asking him to use his new power to deliver this change.

The NEU’s No Child Left Behind coalition includes leading faith organisations: Diocese of Liverpool, Diocese of London, Methodist Church of Britain, United Reform Church, Baptist Union of Britain, and Caritas networks across the country.

In London and Wales, free dinners are provided to all children in primary school. In the rest of England, they are universal from reception through to year two only.

The Reverend Sandra Jones, from Church Wigan, said: “There are many challenges facing the Government, but sorting free school meals should not be one. It’s about giving every child an equal start, an equal chance.

“I am organising this action because I see the parents in my parish who are doing their best but still struggle to afford healthy food, children who are too young to know so much about family finances.

“Change begins in our communities - and prayer is a powerful place to start.”  

Bishop of Warrington, the Right Reverend Simon Robinson, added: “The Diocese of Liverpool is proud to support Rev Sandra in her initiative. Child hunger is a moral stain on our country. Free school meals for all would draw a line under it in our schools. That should be reason enough.

“Before my ordination, I worked in education for 24 years, including serving as a headteacher; I’ve seen how making school meals conditional sends the wrong message to our youngest.

“Lunchtime every day is an invitation to break bread together, to form bonds and friendships. In these formative years, schools must be places where children feel safe and equal. The simplicity of free school meals for all removes the distractions and the embarrassment – and every child gets a nutritious school meal to fuel their learning.”