The Conservative Manifesto commitment to scrap free school meals for infant age children has drawn fire from Liberal Democrats in Great Grimsby.

Free school meals for all children aged five to seven in state schools were brought in by Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government and the Conservatives had promised to retain them in their Manifesto for the last General Election.

But Theresa May’s move to axe them will cost young families £500 a year per infant child.

“Free school meals for infant aged children was one of the great reforms of the Liberal Democrats in Government,” said Steve Beasant.

“They helped to boost educational attainment and make kids healthier. Many young families fall into the ‘just-about-managing’ group and they will be hit hard by this nasty decision from the Conservatives who are now showing their real colours.

“Liberal Democrats will extend the free school meals scheme to all primary school children. By 2021, this was cost £725 million, paid for by keeping capital gains and corporation taxes at the levels they were when the Lib Dems left Government two years ago.

“What is clear is that we need a Strong Opposition to the Conservatives. Labour have failed to provide that. Now is your chance to vote for a Strong Liberal Democrat Opposition that will hold the Government to account.”