LABOUR'S U-turn ruling out free school meals could cost families an estimated £400 million, the SNP have said, as they urged Keir Starmer to follow the Scottish Government’s lead.
The SNP insisted that Starmer is “wrong” to oppose the policy after commissioning research that found families in England could lose out on up to £440 per eligible child from the policy U-turn.
Figures from a House of Commons Library analysis showed a family with two children in primary school year three and four could expect to fork out an additional £800 a year as a result of the U-turn.
The SNP also said the Scottish Government could lose out on around £50 million in Barnett consequentials from the UK Government failing to roll out the policy in England.
The Labour leader has faced fierce criticism for changing his mind on a number of headline policies as the upcoming General Election draws closer.
At the weekend, a senior Labour MP also accused the party of being led by a “right-wing, illiberal” group who are engaged in a witch hunt against members on the left.
We previously told how Starmer’s plans to rule out free school meals for all children in England triggered an internal party battle.
Currently, south of the border children in reception, year one and year two can apply for free meals, while older parents are eligible if a parent is on certain benefits.
In Scotland, primary school pupils between primary one to five have access to free school meals, with the Scottish Government committing to extend the policy up to primary seven.
The House of Commons Library estimates show that Starmer’s U-turn could negatively impact up to one million children in England, with families losing out on a combined £400 to £440 million per year in savings.
The Trussell Trust revealed last week that 11.3 million people in the UK are living in hunger, with a record number of emergency food parcels being distributed to struggling families.
And, the Resolution Foundation warned that 1.8 million people could fall into poverty over the next decade, including one million children.
Despite this and growing calls from within Starmer’s own party to stand by the free school meals policy, a spokesperson told The Times: "This is not Labour policy and we have no plans to implement it".
"Keir Starmer is wrong to oppose free school meals for primary school children,” Carol Monaghan MP (pictured below), the SNP’s education spokesperson, said.
“He should follow the SNP government's lead in Scotland, by committing to fund them across the UK.
"Families are struggling to get by because of the Westminster-made cost of living crisis - but the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party are ruling out vital support when it's needed most.
"This latest Starmer policy U-turn will cost families hundreds of pounds every year, leave children more likely to go hungry, and cost the Scottish Government around £50 million in lost funding.”
Monaghan added that “hungry children cannot learn” as she urged Starmer to stop “throwing every progressive policy on the scrap heap” and to start following Scotland’s lead.
"The SNP is the only party offering real change with independence and real help with the cost of living,” she added.
“In contrast, Sunak and Starmer are only offering Brexit, cuts and more of the same damaging policies that got the UK into this mess.
"At the next election, voting SNP is the only way to secure independence, tackle the cost of living, and get rid of these unelected Tory governments for good."
The Labour party have been contacted for comment.
