YOUNG campaigners have called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “Say Yes to School Food For All” after they handed in a petition signed by parliamentarians, health groups and schools.

UK Youth Parliamentarians, London primary schoolchildren and Children’s Food Campaign representatives delivered the petition to No 10 today, calling on the government to plan a roadmap to deliver free school meals for all, so all children get a nutritious hot meal during their school day.

It came as the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) gathered in the House of Commons for a day-long debate on the cost-of-living impact for young people, including progress towards universal school meals.

Primary schoolchildren from Battersea in London joined members of the UKYP and Children’s Food Campaign representatives outside Downing Street.

Signatories to the petition include Newham, Southwark, Islington and Liverpool City Council; Sustain, the British Youth Council, Child Poverty Action Group, School Food Matters, the Food Foundation, the National Education Union and the Soil Association.

The threshold for entitlement to free school meals remains at £7,400 total household income before benefits, which means 900,000 children living in poverty in England are missing out.

Naema Jannath of the Children’s Food Campaign said the action was bringing the message that it is time for the government to invest in future generations straight to the PM’s door.

Dev Sharma, Youth MP for Winchester, said: “Our current postcode lottery system unjustly denies countless young people access to hot, nutritious meals, crucial for their physical and mental well-being.

“Our collective voice in presenting a petition to the Prime Minister will be more than a call for policy change; it’s a cry for justice, urging the government to extend free school meals.”