More children get free school meals - Farron

With the new school year just a week away, an estimated 13,162 four to seven year olds in the county will now be eligible for free school meals. South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said that this policy will make a massive difference for pupils and their families.

This is because free school meals are now available to all children in reception, years one and two. They continue to be means tested from year three. According to the Department for Education (DfE), 13,162 pupils will benefit from the scheme throughout the county.

The DfE believe the free school meals policy from September, will save parents more than £400 a year in food bills.

Tim said: "Making sure children get a hot meal at lunchtime, and help develop healthy eating habits, is really important. This is good news for families across Cumbria to help them meet the cost of living and will make a real difference to poorer families in particular."