The Government has requested the tabling of an amendment to the Children and Families Bill currently working its way through parliament to legislate a duty on schools to deliver the universal free school meals for infants commitment.

Under the terms of this, all school children in reception class and years one and two are to be offered a free school meal from September 2014.

In particular, the amendment seeks to ensure:

• The amendment applies to existing academies and free schools as well as maintained schools – and also says that new academies and free schools will have relevant provisions included in their funding agreements
• The duty to provide meals for reception, year one and year two pupils is included on the face of the Bill – primary legislation
• The amendment gives the Secretary of State the power to extend universal free school meal provision in the future through secondary legislation … this will be subject to decisions by future Governments and the approval of Parliament, and there are no plans for such an extension at this time

The changes are due to be debated in the House of Lords on January 29th.