Lib Dems say Tories 'snatching lunches' from children living in poverty in Rochdale

Andy Kelly, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Rochdale

Children living in poverty across Rochdale will have their lunches taken away under Conservative plans to abolish universal free school lunches for infant. The Liberal Democrats say over 4,500 children in Rochdale are set to lose out under the plans.

The Lib Dems have claculated that those families losing out are "expected to have to pay around £440 per child per year for their school lunches".

Commenting on the figures, Councillor Andy Kelly, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rochdale said: “Theresa May’s cruel policy will mean hundreds of children living in poverty in Rochdale will lose out on free school lunches. Free school dinners, introduced by the Liberal Democrats in Government, have proved extremely popular. Axing them will hit places like Rochdale worse than most.

“The amount of children suffering from poverty in Rochdale is one of the highest in Britain. This will mean greater inequality and struggling families having to pay hundreds of pounds on lunches a year. Many children could lose out on lunches altogether and it is totally unacceptable.

“The Conservatives' promise of a free breakfast is cynical and clearly not designed to reach all children. They have set aside a meagre 7p per breakfast per child, the price of half a boiled egg or just one slice of bread with 12 baked beans.

“The Liberal Democrats will stand up against this mean-spirited vision of Britain and extend free school lunches to all primary school children."