Liberal Democrats have announced plans to deliver free school meals for more than 1,800 more primary school children in Wokingham.
In a statement, they announced their ambition to extend free school meals to all primary school children, beginning with all children in poverty across both primary and secondary schools.
This, they said, would mean an extra 1,846 primary school children in Wokingham receiving free school meals.
The party said it will fund its manifesto policy by introducing a share buyback tax, inspired by a similar tax introduced by Joe Biden in the United States.
Share buybacks occur when companies use profits to inflate their own share price, a practice which critics have warned can come at the expense of productive investment in the economy.
Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, slammed Conservative government for what he described as “letting children go hungry in the worst cost of living crisis in a generation”.
The government currently provides meals for all children in reception, year 1 and year 2. In year 3 and above, the government has set stringent conditions on family income for children receiving free school meals.
Currently in Wokingham, just 986 (9.5%) of primary school children in year 3 and above receive free school meals, the party said.
In government, the Liberal Democrats said they would ensure 100% of primary school children receive free school meals.
The party’s plan also includes an immediate extension of free school meals to all 900,000 children living in poverty who currently miss out across both primary and secondary school.
This is estimated to be 150,000 in the South East, who would all be covered under the Liberal Democrats’ plan.
Analysis by PWC found that every £1 spent on free school meals for the poorest children generates £1.38 in health and earnings benefits, including improvements to children’s health, education and future working life opportunities.
Clive said: “Conservative MPs should hang their heads in shame at a legacy of children going hungry in the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
“It is time for change.
“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats in Wokingham is a vote for a hardworking, local champion who will fight for the wellbeing of children and their futures.
“When I became leader of Wokingham Borough Council in May 2022, I made sure we were able to support free school meals during school holidays for children who would have had them during term time.
“I am proud the Liberal Democrats have the most ambitious plan for free school meals of any party.
“This plan would transform the future for millions of children.”
