TEACHING unions are claiming vindication after a report published today found that universal free school meals had proved a good investment.

The Education Policy Institute said there were unresolved issues with the scheme, which has been rolled out in a number of council areas, but concluded it had saved families an estimated £887 million over a 10-year period.

Education Policy Institute chief economist Peter Sellen said: “The policy has also delivered financial benefits and time savings for parents and, while it is too early to detect whether the policy has had an impact on educational and health outcomes, some schools and parents have perceived benefits for children’s readiness for learning, the profile of health eating in schools and children’s eating habits.”