FREE school meals for all primary school children and a £6 billion investment in schools were among the pledges made by Nick Clegg when he visited Oxford yesterday.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Liberal Democrats would prioritise education if it was part of the next Government and would increase funding for disadvantaged children.

Mr Clegg was at Botley Primary School to launch the Lib-Dems’ manifesto ahead of May’s General Election. He said: “We will protect not only the schools’ budget in real terms but funding for early years and colleges too. We will triple the extra funding that goes to children from the poorest backgrounds in nursery.

“We will give every primary school child a hot, healthy lunch to help them learn.”

Our top stories

He rejected criticism from some headteachers and Oxfordshire County Council that the free school meals policy had led to fewer pupils being eligible for pupil premium money.

It is allocated based on how many students are signed up for free school meals.

But since September free meals have been provided for all children in Reception and Years One and Two, so their parents no longer need to register for them.

Mr Clegg said: “It is up to schools to work with parents to fill in the right forms.”

The county council had to spend £480,000 to upgrade kitchen facilities at 123 primary schools to make sure free meals could be provided.

And county council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said expanding the scheme would cost the taxpayer more money. She said: “Where will he get this money for school buildings?”

Last month the Oxford Mail reported on brothers Lewis and Sebastian Heudi, who are pupils at Woodstock Primary School. Because Lewis is five he gets a free school meal but Sebastian, who is seven, does not.

Headteacher Lisa Rowe said she would like all children to get meals but concerns remain about funding. She said: “We are supportive of the principle but it is very difficult if we do not have the means to provide it.”

On Monday, Mr Clegg announced a £6bn investment into school buildings.

Speaking after yesterday’s event, he said: “I have just announced we are hoping to give councils £6bn so they can help repair things like the boiler that broke down in Rose Hill Primary School.”


  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.