Lib Dem Councillor Meri O’Connell hails free school meals ‘victory’ as over 10,000 children in Reading are set to benefit

The Government has finally heeded Liberal Democrat calls to expand free school meals, which Lib Dems have long called for.

Figures published by the Government suggest that over 4 million more children should receive free school meals by 2026/27, which could see 10,000 young people in Reading benefitting from the change. 

Responding to the announcement, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tilehurst, Meri O’Connell, said: 

“For years, families have had to choose between heating or eating, just to make sure their child had food for a school lunch. That should never have happened.

“Today is a victory for so many families and passionate campaigners, and we’re happy the Government has finally listened to Liberal Democrat pressure. Thanks to the efforts of thousands of supporters, over 10,000 children in Reading are finally on track to receive the meals they need and deserve.

“But this can’t be the finish line. The next step must be automatic registration for those entitled to free school meals, as piloted by the Liberal Democrats when they ran Durham County Council, which would cut the cost of school uniforms and, crucially, end the two-child benefit cap. We’ll keep pushing until no child is left behind."