Free school meals is good news for Cumbrian families - Farron

South Lakes MP and Liberal Democrat President Tim Farron has welcomed the announcement that the Government will be funding free school meals for all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2.

The change will also see free school meals extended to students at Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges. Currently, 16 to 18 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds studying at a Further Education or SixthFormColleges do not receive free meals at lunchtime, whereas their counterparts in Schools, Academies, FreeSchools and UniversityTechnicalColleges do.

Tim said: "Making sure children get a hot meal at lunchtime, and help develop healthy eating habits, is really important. This is good news for families across Cumbria to help them meet the cost of living and will make a real difference to poorer families in particular.

"I am also very pleased that 16-18 year old students who qualify for free school meals will now be able to have them, regardless of where they are continuing their education."