Plans for free school meals for nearly 5,500 more primary school children in Newcastle
* The Liberal Democrats have 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 would mean over 11,000 Newcastle primary school children receiving free school meals, and two thirds of all children at school in the City.
* The party will fund their manifesto policy by introducing a share buyback tax, inspired by a similar tax introduced by President Joe Biden in the USA.
* Liberal Democrats Spokesperson Dr Aidan King slams Conservative government for “letting children go hungry in the worst cost of living crisis in a generation”.
The Liberal Democrats have launched their ambition to extend free school meals to all primary school children, funded by a new share buyback tax.
The government currently only 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 Newcastle, under 40% of primary school children in year 3 and above receive free school meals.
In government, the Liberal Democrats 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.
It is estimated that 30,000 in the North East would 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.
The new policy will make the Liberal Democrats the most ambitious party on free school meals.
The manifesto pledge would be funded by a 4% levy on the share buybacks of FTSE 100 listed corporations, similar to the excise tax on buybacks implemented by President Biden in the US, which could raise around £1.4 billion a year.
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.
The sectors using share buybacks the most are oil and gas giants, banks and large corporations that own a number of food and consumer goods brands. This suggests the practice is being driven by companies profiting from soaring prices during the cost of living crisis.
The Liberal Democrats’ Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle North, Dr Aidan King said:
“Across Newcastle, there are too many children expected to learn on empty stomachs with no guarantee of a hot meal when they get home.
“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 Newcastle is a vote for local champions who will fight for the wellbeing of children and their futures.
“I am proud the Liberal Democrats have the most ambitious plan for free school meals of any party, which would save parents money and transform the future for millions of children.”
NOTES ON SOURCES
Source for Primary School Children Data: Department for Education Statistics, 2022-23
Source for Children in Poverty Data: Child Poverty Action Group, July 2023
PWC report October 2022
Extending Free School Meals to an additional 900,000 children in poverty would cost approximately £500 million a year.
A 4% share buyback tax (when companies use excess profits in a way that minimises their tax to buy up shares in their own companies) would raise around £1.4 billion a year.