Every infant pupil in an English school will get free school dinners from next September in a £600 million plan announced by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
The deputy prime minister said the initiative, which is expected to save parents around £400 a year per child, would ensure that “every child gets the chance in life they deserve”.
“My ambition is that every primary school pupil should be able to sit down to a hot, healthy lunch with their classmates every day,” said Clegg.
“Millions of parents across the country are feeling the squeeze… I am determined to do all we can to help put money back in the pockets of these families.
“Universal free school meals will help give every child the chance in life that they deserve, building a stronger economy and fairer society,” he added.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are mulling similar plans.
“We are committed to expanding this provision further and, once we see the financial implications of this announcement for Scotland, we will examine how best to deliver that expansion,” said a Scottish government spokesman.
The National Union of Teachers called for the plan, which will still allow packed lunches if parents prefer, to be applied to all primary school pupils, saying “children “do not stop being hungry at seven years-of-age”.
Free school dinners for all infant pupils
