Ministers who quit in a bid to oust Boris Johnson will be urged to offer their severance pay to fund free school meals over the summer.
Resigning frontbenchers are entitled to claim 25% of their annual salary in severance, so long as they don't rejoin the government within three weeks.
That means ministers of state who don't return would be in line for a £7,920 payout - a figure which would increase through the ranks. Boris Johnson is set to receive a £18,860 payout when he eventually steps down.
Under the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, those resigning from office are entitled to 25% of the annual salaries they were paid when holding that office.
The expected £245,487 bill for taxpayers could fund a free school meal for over 80,000 children in the school holidays.
The Lib Dems are set to table a motion tomorrow calling on any departing ministers to donate their golden handshakes to help with the cost of living.
The motion reads that the House "acknowledges that the cost of living crisis is forcing more children to hungry with many families relying on foodbanks" and calls on ex-ministers to use the cash to fund "free school meal vouchers in the summer holidays."
Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “While families are struggling to put food on the table, Tory ministers are set to pocket payouts worth thousands of pounds. It is deeply unfair especially at a time when so many are struggling to get by."
She added: “Meanwhile the failure of this government to offer people help to cope with the cost of living emergency risks leaving more and more children going hungry over the coming months.
“Conservative ministers who resigned should do the decent thing and give their payoffs to fund free school meals for children over the summer.”
