Originally published in The Bolton News
More than 20,000 children across Bolton will be getting free school meals from the start of next year as part of sweeping new reforms.
The move is part of a national drive to try and tackle poverty across the country and is expected to come into effect from the start of next year.
Since 2018, only children with household incomes less than £7,400 been eligible but the new policy will make all children from households on Universal Credit eligible.
Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “I know from my surgeries and casework just how much families in Bolton South and Walkden are struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Child poverty is a stain on our society. That’s why I fully support Labour’s Plan for Change, expanding free school meals to every child in a household on Universal Credit.