More than 100,000 youngsters with conditions like diabetes, epilepsy and autism are entitled to the meals. But they miss out because they are not educated in a formal setting or have severely restrictive diets.
Their families, among the hardest hit by the cost-of-living squeeze, are losing out on financial help worth around £570 a year, according to disability charity Contact.
By law, most children should be offered an alternative, such as a supermarket voucher, if they cannot eat the lunch provided.
However, Contact says this is often not happening and many families are getting into debt and going to food banks.
Labour MP Ian Byrne, who is leading a Westminster Hall debate on the “truly shocking” issue today, is joining the charity and the Daily Express to urge the Government to update its free school meals guidance. The Liverpool West Derby MP said: “I was determined to lead this debate to highlight the discrimination that is taking place.”
He said making it crystal clear that schools and councils need to provide an alternative – ideally a supermarket voucher – was a “simple fix that could make a big difference”.
Natalie Hay, who set up a 2,700-strong online support group for affected families, said: “I am delighted this issue is getting the attention it deserves.”
The Department for Education was contacted for comment.
