Conservative Party pledges to end universal infant free school meals
18 May 2017
The Conservative Party manifesto is expected to announce its intention to scrap universal infant free school meals and replace the scheme with free school breakfasts. Its manifesto document will be formally launched later this morning.
The Times has reported that the change would save £650 million a year, which is currently spent on hot lunches for all five, six and seven year olds. Free school meals is expected to go untouched by the planned changes, which are due to be announced later this morning.
Both the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties in their manifestoes have promised to extend the universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) scheme to all primary age children.
UIFSM was introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in September 2014.