But researchers warn short-term effects ‘difficult to detect’ as families report positive impacts on finances and stress But researchers warn short-term effects ‘difficult to detect’ as families report positive impacts on finances and stress More from this theme Recent articles The Mayor of London’s universal primary free school meals scheme did not improve pupil attainment in its first year, but made a positive difference to family finances and stress levels, an impact report has found. The interim report from the Education Endowment Foundation on Sadiq Khan’s offer of free school meals (FSM) to all primary school aged children in London looked at the first 10 months of the scheme. The policy was first introduced in February 2023 to support families through the cost of living crisis. It now uses up around a third of the mayor’s total annual budget each year. Researchers surveyed headteachers and parents, conducted interviews with parents and observed school lunch times in 14 locations across London. It found there was around 90 per cent uptake among newly eligible children. The policy …