Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Cllr Peter Taylor has called for children to remain receiving free school means so that they can “achieve their potential”.

Families on Universal Credit - a single monthly payment for people out of work or on low income – can currently claim a free lunch.

However, last week the House of Commons voted to reduce eligibility for children in Year Three and above if their parents earn more than £7,400 from April 1.

Cllr Peter Taylor, who is also the Liberal Democrat Candidate in the mayoral elections, believes this will “penalise” hardworking parents.

Peter said, 'As a former teacher, and a parent to three young children, I am particularly proud of the work that Liberal Democrats did in the coalition to introduce free school meals for infants. All the evidence suggests that children learn better if they have a healthy lunch.

"We must make sure that work always pays. Cutting free school meals once a parents is earning over a certain threshold will penalise parents who are working hard to provide for their children.

“That's why I back the Liberal Democrat policy of providing free school meals to all children in primary education. That way, no child will miss out on a healthy lunch. I want every child to achieve their potential. There is no doubt that providing free lunches for all primary school children would help with this.'