Free school dinners saves parents millions of pounds

PARENTAL PERMISSION OBTAINED

File photo dated 08/03/07 of a pupils eating their school dinners, as a new survey suggests that councils and schools are being forced to raid existing budgets to ensure that a Government scheme to offer free school lunches to infants goes ahead. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday August 19, 2014. Under plans first announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg last year, all five to seven-year-olds will be entitled to the meals from this September. See PA story EDUCATION Meals. Photo credit should read: Chris Radburn/PA Wire — PARENTAL PERMISSION OBTAINED File photo dated 08/03/07 of a pupils eating their school dinners, as a new survey suggests that councils and schools are being forced to raid existing budgets to ensure that a Government scheme to offer free school lunches to infants goes ahead. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday August 19, 2014. Under plans first announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg last year, all five to seven-year-olds will be entitled to the meals from this September. See PA story EDUCATION Meals. Photo credit should read: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Around 6,630 Calderdale children, aged 4-7, are eligible for free school lunches - saving parents up to a reportedly £400 per year.

Presently, free school meals are means tested for children in years three and upwards but, as of September, all children in reception and years one and two will receive free school lunches in an initiative to reduce child obesity - currently, one in five children is obese by the time they leave primary school.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who is spearheading the new initiative, said: “Free school meals for infants will not only save families hundreds of pounds a year but will also have an impact on how a child performs in the classroom so that, regardless of their background, every child can have the best possible start in life.

Pupils at the pilot schools were found to be up to two months ahead of their peers elsewhere.This is one of the most progressive changes to our school system for a long time.”