Thousands of children in St Albans could lose their right to a free school meal under Conservative plans to review the scheme.
Senior politicians have condemned the Government for even considering dropping the policy, which entitles every four to seven-year-old child to a free school lunch whatever their parents' income.
The scheme was introduced last September by the Liberal Democrats during the Coalition Government.
It was estimated that it would cut costs to parents by £400 per year per child and the Tories pledged to continue the policy in its 2015 manifesto.
However, the free meals could be scrapped in George Osborne’s spending review.
Government departments were ordered by the Chancellor to cut their budgets by up to 40 per cent in July under his spending review, with full details due in November.
The Department for Education has the majority of its spending budget protected.
However, £14 billion of spending within early years education is subject to cuts and the Universal Infant Free School Meals programme, which is estimated to cost up to £800m per year, falls under this category.
What do you think about the free meals? Get in touch by leaving a comment below or email charlotte.ikonen@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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