Children across Liverpool join calls to extend universal free school meals to all in compulsory education

Calls to extend the universal free school meal provision to all children in compulsory education are gaining traction this week, ahead of a hunger march in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.

Currently, children in state schools are given free, nutritionally balanced meals during school hours up to the age of seven - but campaigners believe older children should have the same offering.

The demand is one of five being put to the government by Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne, as part of his Right to Food campaign which aims to make access to food a legal right for all.

His calculations estimate a cost to the government of £14.8million to establish a universal free school meal offering to all primary and secondary children in Liverpool during term time.

Pupils at Blackmoor Park Infant School in West Derby are among the young people already benefitting from universal free school meals. Head teacher Jo Hitchmough says the benefits are clear to see: "We absolutely know that it makes a difference because we can offer our children a balanced meal. The money we get per child means that during the school day our children are getting a really good hot meal with a wide variety of choices and we can see the impact in the classroom throughout the day. They're ready to learn, they really apply themselves, their confidence is there and they can self-regulate much more easily than if they haven't eaten at all.

Mrs Hitchmough continued: "This is tried and tested in infant schools and it's really unfair that just because you turn seven and you go into year three; the option doesn't continue. Children are suddenly up against it and it makes their transition into their next primary phase that little bit harder.

"How is it fair that the junior children don't get free school meals? Why can't secondary children get that? It's a hidden crisis. It's right and proper that this city is doing something about it and saying this is not good enough for our children."

Ian Byrne MP is dedicating this week (18th-23rd September) to bringing people together to make sure the collective demand for the right to food is heard.

The Right to Food week will culminate in a hunger march through Liverpool on Saturday 23rd September. Crowds are asked to gather with flags and banners at 12 noon on the steps to St George's Hall before marching to the Bombed Out Church, and on to The Casa for a rally at 1pm.