Give all primary school pupils free school meals, Corbyn says
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is proposing that free school meals be available to all primary school pupils in England.
In order to cover the costs, Corbyn has suggested that a VAT is placed on private school fees.
However, the Independent Schools Council has said that “the sums for this proposed policy do not add up and would be counter-productive”.
Labour says that House of Commons Library figures suggest that this move would cost £700 million to £900 million.
Corbyn says that the price should be paid by parents who send their children to private school - and Labour quotes an estimate from the Fabian Society that VAT on private school fees could raise about £1.5 billion per year.
The first three years of state-run primary school already receive free meals, but Corbyn’s proposal would extend it to all years.
Read moreLatest News
07/10/2025 - 09:35
Sixty-five per cent of parents and grandparents have said they felt driving should be on the school curriculum, according to a survey by pre-17 driver training scheme provider Young Driver.
07/10/2025 - 09:20
The government has announced a new package of bursaries and scholarships worth up to £31,000 to train to teach in subjects including chemistry, maths, physics, and computing.
06/10/2025 - 10:20
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
03/10/2025 - 10:01
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
02/10/2025 - 09:31
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
