The Lib Dems have announced plans that would mean free school meals for 10,000 more primary school children in Worcestershire.

Currently, all school children reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to free school meals.

But from year 3 upwards, eligibility is means-tested.

Right now, 5,978 (19.5 percent) primary school children in Worcestershire in year 3 and above receive free school meals.

Under plans announced by the Liberal Democrats, all primary school-aged children would receive free school meals.

PROUD: Lib Dem candidate Mel AllcottPROUD: Lib Dem candidate Mel Allcott (Image: Mel Allcott)

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. This is estimated to be 110,000 in the West Midlands.

Mel Allcott, the Liberal Democrat candidate to be Worcester MP, said: “Across Worcester, 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 Worcester is a vote for a local champion 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.”

The Lib Dems say their manifesto pledge would be funded by a four per cent 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 £1.4bn 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.