Television presenter Ana Boulter has launched a scathing attack on Labour's expansion of free school meals, accusing the government of "gaslighting" the public over the policy.

The government announced yesterday that all children from households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for free school meals from September 2026, regardless of income level.

The expansion will affect over 500,000 additional pupils, according to Department for Education estimates. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed it as "a truly historic moment for our country."

Speaking to GB News, Boulter, who is also a mother, said: "It's another deflection. Honestly speaking, it's not free. I really wish we could just get back to basics.

Ana Boulter said that Labour is "gaslighting" the public

"There was nothing free about this. It is taxpayer-funded food for children. I personally hate the terminology 'free school meals' because I don't think it does the children any good, and it's not true. It's not free. It's a political choice as to where your money's going.

"And my interpretation is it's another state intervention on how we bring our children up and how families are run, because it's not parental choice anymore, is it?

"I almost think we're starting at the wrong end of the scale here. Children who need food should be fed. There's never going to be an argument against that.

"But all this is doing is moving the threshold, a bit like you were just saying with the winter fuel payments. We're just moving the threshold out, allowing a few more in, pushing a few more out, and taking away from a parent's responsibility to feed their children.

"Keir Starmer says it's common sense that children who are hungry won't do well at school. But is it not common sense that if you have children, you should feed them and feed them well? Traditionally, yes.

"But I'm glad you make the point that it's not free, because it is very annoying when people say things are free that are paid for by people who pay their taxes every day.

"But also because I'm not sure the state necessarily gets good value for the money it puts in."

She added: "Let's look at what we've already got with free school meals. Schools and their budgets can't even afford to cover the cost of existing free school meals.

"So that's the state of play at the minute. Without all of these extra children in September 25, and again in 26.

"If it's so important, why are they hungry for another year? If it's that high on the agenda, why are we waiting another year before we feed them?

"To me, it says more distraction from what other messes are going on in Government and a bit more gaslighting."

All children from households receiving Universal Credit will become eligible for free school meals

Currently, only families earning below £7,400 annually can claim free lunches.

The expansion will save eligible families approximately £500 per year, with the Department for Education allocating £1bn to fund the changes through to 2029.

Ministers claim the policy will lift 100,000 children out of poverty.

The government expects schools to process applications before the 2026 school year begins, with parents providing their national insurance numbers to verify eligibility.