Claims free college meals for infants face being axed branded ‘garbage’

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she does not ‘recognise’ reports that universal free school meals for infants face being axed after reports emerged that they were at risk

Rachel Reeves said she does not “recognise” reports that universal free school meals for infants face being axed.

The Chancellor slapped down claims that Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had suggested restricting eligibility for free lunches as part of tough spending review negotiations with the Treasury. It was also claimed that Ms Phillipson had also offered up slashing funding for free period products in schools as well as dance, music and PE schemes.

But a government source told The Mirror the reports were “categorically untrue”. They said: “It’s no secret that there are some tough choices coming down the track – but if people don’t think Bridget is going to fight tooth and nail to protect programmes that support the most disadvantaged children, they don’t know Bridget very well. Any suggestions those things are being ‘offered up’ is complete rubbish.”

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Ms Phillipson is said to be looking at cutting the schools budget by £500million in savings and efficiencies, according to the Times. Universal infant school meals, which are given to reception and year 1 and year 2 pupils, are said to be in the bottom 20% of lowest value for money. Ms Phillipson had allegedly suggested making it means-tested instead, as free school meals for older kids already are, the newspaper reported.

Asked if free school meals would be means-tested following the spring statement, Ms Reeves told broadcasters: “This Government is rolling out free breakfast clubs in all primary schools from April.

“I don’t recognise those claims that the Government are looking at means-testing free school meals. In fact, this Government are ensuring that all children get a good start to the day with a breakfast club, helping working parents and helping all children get a good start in life. That is what this Government is determined to do after 14 years of Conservative failure.”

Ms Reeves is looking to cut the costs of running government

Elsewhere Ms Reeves was grilled on reports suggesting Britain could slash the digital services tax – a levy on big tech companies – in order to stave off American tariffs and keep Donald Trump happy. Ms Reeves on Sunday failed to rule out the prospect of changing or ditching the tax, saying that ministers “are in discussions at the moment around a whole range of things around tariffs with the US”.

But pressed again on Monday, she appeared to defend the digital services tax. Asked if the Government was also considering abolishing or slashing the digital services tax paid by tech companies, Ms Reeves said: “Digital services tax is hugely important, it brings in around £800 million a year and ensures that companies pay tax in the country that they are operating in. So we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector.”

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