Cumberland Council's system of auto-enrolment has helped more than 300 children receive free school meals they were entitled to.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the council said national data indicated about 800 children in Cumberland could be eligible but not claiming the meals.
The council began planning an auto-enrolment programme in April 2023, with the first full implementation completed on September 1, 2025.
Previously, individual schools couldn't access the national Eligibility Checking System or the required parent and carer details, so the council now conducts these checks centrally for all schools.
The new process has identified 307 pupils who were eligible but not previously enrolled.
The council says the extra sign-ups mean 307 additional Pupil Premium allocations for schools, totalling £421,000.
The authority added that the initiative not only boosts school funding but also activates other support linked to free school meal eligibility.
This includes automatic allocation of school uniform grants, WONDE supermarket vouchers during school holidays, and access to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
This information was revealed under the Freedom of Information Act on April 22, 2026.
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