Our child is currently in Reception and hence entitled to free school meals. Therefore he he has them.
What I would mention, which I don't think I've seen here yet is that each term we seem to get an email from the head teacher stating that some of their funding is based on the number of children having school dinners and a certain day is "census" day. On that day, they would like as many children to have school dinners as possible to ensure funding levels are maintained. Children can still take in a packed lunch even if registered for a school dinner that day and I know some kids have actually had both a packed lunch and a school dinner on some occasions.
Knowing the menu choices and the cost (the app says we get upto £3 per day, but most meals seem to be priced ar £2.40), I suspect that once he leaves KS1, then we may opt for the packed lunch option, although I would give him the choice.
As to whether school meals should be free for all, I think I would support free school meals for all primary school children, but not necessarily for secondary schools as by that age, they can be starting to have influence over their meal choices and can suggest picking up half a dozen bananas or some oranges in the shopping instead of dairy milk based on personal preferences and their knowledge from school.
Schools with sensible uniform policies do not stipulate blazers.
The schools that require blazers do so because they are trying to deter poorer families from choosing that school, in my opinion, though they'd never admit it.
Suggesting that schools allow the use of jumpers or blazers of a particular colour is going to be problematic; the issue is not with the logo, and in any case any sensible school will be offering vouchers to kids entitled to FSM, plus any sensible school will have a facility for recycling second hand uniform.
A £14 blazer is unlikely to be any good or last long but there is no reason for schools to require blazers, when jumpers will do.
My secondary school had blazers (brought in with our year group in 91). I seem to recall that the only items you had to buy from the "school uniform shop" was the tie and a badge to be sewn onto the blazer, so jumpers, shirts, trousers etc could be bought at BhS or M&S. I can't remember specifics about PE other than it was a red rugby shirt and black shorts for outside and white everything for indoors (unless your parents washed it all together and you ended up with a pink indoor kit!)
At our current school, the preference is to have a logo on the sweatshirt, but it isn't compulsory. I also note that on the M&S website, that the price of the uniform remains the same regardless of the size and a branded sweatshirt is £1 more than a plain one sized 11-12 years old,however for another school, it seems the branded stuff is actually cheaper than the plain.