An investigation by academics at Northumbria University found that as much as £88m could have "disappeared" in a single year, sparking calls for the government to conduct a National Audit Office inquiry into the free school meals budget.
The allegation was published in a working paper written by Professor Greta Defeyter and Professor Paul Stretesky which analysed data for primary and secondary pupils in England who were eligible for and claiming free school meals.
The findings - which have so far been unable to identify a conclusive answer for where the money allocated to free school meals has ended up - were presented by independent MP for Birkenhead Frank Field as part of a debate on the Children's Future Food Inquiry.
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