Over 20,000 children in Leicestershire benefitting from free school meals.

This week is National School Meals week and local Councillor Michael Mullaney (Lib Dem: Hinckley) has welcomed the news that 21,900 local children in Leicestershire are benefitting from free school meals.

Michael Mullaney said "It's a very simple truth that if you don't give children a healthy, balanced meal at lunchtime, you can't expect them to sit down, concentrate and learn well in the afternoon.

"I'm glad that Lib Dems in government have delivered free school meals for all children of Infant School age. New food standards have been introduced, cooking on the curriculum and free school meals, which can save families up to £400 per year, help children do better in class and improve their daily diet.

"National School Meals week is about not only encouraging children to really understand and enjoy the food they eat but to celebrate all the schools chefs and catering staff who work day-in day-out to help provide school meals and ensure that we live in a fairer society where every child can get the best possible start in life, regardless of their background."