PRESS RELEASE: Liberal Democrats Push for Top Quality Free School Meals in Leicestershire.

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the government announcement that they will provide funding for free school meals for children in their first three years at school. Although some children already qualify for school meals, some do not take them due to the stigma, and others who don't qualify struggle to afford them. Research has shown that extending free school meals to all children will help remove these barriers.

Evidence presented from the School Food Plan group showed that this will also lead to positive improvements in health, attainment and social cohesion, and help all over families with the cost of living.

Cllr Simon Galton said "It's brilliant that the government has decided to fund these free meals for children, to improve their wellbeing and to help their performance in class. Now the County Council must do what it can to ensure that the money is spent in the most effective way possible."

The Liberal Democrats will be using Wednesday's Full Council meeting to call for report into the role the County Council can play in ensuring the best quality provision for these meals.