Election 2017 Party Policy Guide: Free school meals
Neil Puffett
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Conservatives
- Universal free school meals for children in the first three years will be scrapped and replaced with free breakfasts
- Children from low-income families will continue to receive free school lunches throughout their years in primary and secondary education
Labour
- Introduce free school meals for all primary school children, paid for by removing the VAT exemption on private school fees
Liberal Democrats
- Extend free school meals to all children in primary education and promote school breakfast clubs
Commentary
The Conservatives say they will scrap free school meals - introduced under the coalition government - in the first three years of primary school (saving £650m a year) and replace them with free breakfasts (costing £60m). Labour and the Lib Dems pledge to extend provision to all primary children.
The Children's Food Trust has urged the Conservative Party to reconsider its plans.
Download a PDF of the full policy guide or click on each subject heading to examine Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat policies for that area.
Childcare and early years
Child health
Child poverty
Education
Safeguarding and care
Youth policy and youth justice