Free School Meals (FSM) trends across the UK

This article tracks student‑weighted FSM% over time, nationally and by local authority. We compute FSM% as the sum of (pupils × FSM%) divided by total pupils at each time point, using the latest record per URN up to that date.

Use the trends to understand changes in disadvantage profiles and to compare areas. The national series provides context; local authority views show where FSM% has risen or fallen most since the chosen baseline.

Key insight: FSM% has generally trended upward in recent years, with notable regional differences. Local context (economy, demographics, and policy) explains much of the variation.