Nursery World - Labour pledges free school meals for primary children

Labour will fund free school meals for all primary school pupils by charging VAT on private school fees.

The next Labour government would fund the policy by introducing VAT on private school fees.

During a visit to Lancashire, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said, ‘No child in the UK should go hungry at school. By charging VAT on private schools fees, Labour will make sure all primary school children, no matter what their background, get a healthy meal at school.

‘The next Labour Government will provide all primary school children with a free school meal, invest in our schools, and make sure no child is held back because of their background.’

Labour cited research by the National Centre for Social Research and the Institute for Fiscal Studies that highlights that universal access to free school meals improves pupils’ productivity and health.

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