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Free school meals for infants pledged by Nick Clegg Free school meals for infants pledged by Nick Clegg
(about 1 hour later)
Every child at infant school in England will get free lunches, in a £600m scheme to improve health and educational attainment, Nick Clegg is to announce in his main speech to the Liberal Democrat conference.Every child at infant school in England will get free lunches, in a £600m scheme to improve health and educational attainment, Nick Clegg is to announce in his main speech to the Liberal Democrat conference.
The deputy prime minister will on Wednesday hail the provision of universal free schools for 1.5 million children between the ages of five and seven as a sign of the Liberal Democrats' determination to give every child the best start in life. The measure will save parents £437 a year. The deputy prime minister will on Wednesday hail the provision of universal free school meals for 1.5 million children between the ages of five and seven as a sign of the Liberal Democrats' determination to give every child the best start in life. The measure will save parents £437 a year.
Liberal Democrat sources said George Osborne would formally confirm the move in his autumn statement. It was the direct result of a "deal" between the two sides of the coalition, they said. The Lib Dems demanded the money for the free school meals after the chancellor said he would need a similar sum of money to deliver a marriage tax allowance.Liberal Democrat sources said George Osborne would formally confirm the move in his autumn statement. It was the direct result of a "deal" between the two sides of the coalition, they said. The Lib Dems demanded the money for the free school meals after the chancellor said he would need a similar sum of money to deliver a marriage tax allowance.
Clegg will tell the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow: "I'm delighted to tell you that we are going to provide free school meals for all children in infant schools. From next September, we'll give every child in reception, year one and year two a healthy lunch every day, saving families more than £400 per year, per child.Clegg will tell the Lib Dem conference in Glasgow: "I'm delighted to tell you that we are going to provide free school meals for all children in infant schools. From next September, we'll give every child in reception, year one and year two a healthy lunch every day, saving families more than £400 per year, per child.
"For the Liberal Democrats this is a first step. My ambition is to provide free school meals for all primary school children: another reason we want to get into government next time round." "For the Liberal Democrats this is a first step. My ambition is to provide free school meals for all primary schoolchildren: another reason we want to get into government next time round."
The deputy prime minister said the Lib Dems' championing of free school meals highlighted a division with the Tories, who were more interested in spending a similar sum of money on introducing a marriage tax allowance. Under the coalition agreement, the Lib Dems will abstain when the allowance is introduced by Osborne in the autumn statement. Clegg said the Lib Dems' championing of free school meals highlighted a division with the Tories, who were more interested in spending a similar sum of money on introducing a marriage tax allowance. Under the coalition agreement, the Lib Dems will abstain when the allowance is introduced by Osborne in the autumn statement.
Clegg will say: "The Conservatives have made it clear that their priority is to help some families over others, with a tax break for married couples: a tax break for some, funded through the taxes of others. That tells you everything you need to know about their values.Clegg will say: "The Conservatives have made it clear that their priority is to help some families over others, with a tax break for married couples: a tax break for some, funded through the taxes of others. That tells you everything you need to know about their values.
"We, however, will help all families in these tough times – not just the kind we like best – by helping their young children get the best possible start in life. And that tells you everything about ours.""We, however, will help all families in these tough times – not just the kind we like best – by helping their young children get the best possible start in life. And that tells you everything about ours."
A senior Lib Dem source reinforced Clegg's message by saying the announcement was a result of a "deal" between the Lib Dems and the Tories. "They want to spend roughly the same amount on the marriage tax. We want to spend it on this. It is a straight-up-and-down deal."A senior Lib Dem source reinforced Clegg's message by saying the announcement was a result of a "deal" between the Lib Dems and the Tories. "They want to spend roughly the same amount on the marriage tax. We want to spend it on this. It is a straight-up-and-down deal."
Michael Gove, the education secretary, is likely to say that the idea of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren was one of the central recommendations in the School Food Plan, which he commissioned.Michael Gove, the education secretary, is likely to say that the idea of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren was one of the central recommendations in the School Food Plan, which he commissioned.
The plan, written by the Leon restaurant founders, Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, cited research finding that free school meals had educational benefits in addition to nutritional advantages.The plan, written by the Leon restaurant founders, Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, cited research finding that free school meals had educational benefits in addition to nutritional advantages.
The authors cited a pilot study in three boroughs – Durham, Newham, and Wolverhampton – under the last government, which found academic benefits that outstripped those from the introduction of the literacy hour, in 1998.The authors cited a pilot study in three boroughs – Durham, Newham, and Wolverhampton – under the last government, which found academic benefits that outstripped those from the introduction of the literacy hour, in 1998.
Dimbleby and Vincent wrote: "Academically, the benefits were clear. Students in the pilot areas were on average two months ahead of their peers elsewhere. Between 3% and 5% more children reached the target levels in maths and English at key stage 1. Across both pilot areas, 4% more children achieved the expected levels in English at key stage 2. This is a bigger improvement than the 3.6% boost that followed the introduction of a compulsory 'literacy hour' in 1998.Dimbleby and Vincent wrote: "Academically, the benefits were clear. Students in the pilot areas were on average two months ahead of their peers elsewhere. Between 3% and 5% more children reached the target levels in maths and English at key stage 1. Across both pilot areas, 4% more children achieved the expected levels in English at key stage 2. This is a bigger improvement than the 3.6% boost that followed the introduction of a compulsory 'literacy hour' in 1998.
"Furthermore, these improvements were most marked among children from less affluent families.""Furthermore, these improvements were most marked among children from less affluent families."
Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Children's Society, welcomed the announcement. He said: "Today's announcement, making free school meals available to 1.4m more children, marks an historic step forward in the fight against child poverty.Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Children's Society, welcomed the announcement. He said: "Today's announcement, making free school meals available to 1.4m more children, marks an historic step forward in the fight against child poverty.
"It also marks a significant victory for the Children's Society's Fair and Square campaign, which has galvanised over 100,000 people across the country to call for free school meals to be available to many more children in poverty."It also marks a significant victory for the Children's Society's Fair and Square campaign, which has galvanised over 100,000 people across the country to call for free school meals to be available to many more children in poverty.
"This latest move clearly shows that the government is recognising the hardship that thousands of families are facing. This will lead to 200,000 more poor children being given the chance to get a free, nutritious meal at school.""This latest move clearly shows that the government is recognising the hardship that thousands of families are facing. This will lead to 200,000 more poor children being given the chance to get a free, nutritious meal at school."
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