*Fighting Hunger in Schools: Liverpool Pupils Demand Free Meals for All*

In a remarkable display of advocacy, students in Liverpool have initiated a powerful movement, calling upon the government to implement free school meals for every child. Approximately 100 children from local schools went to the Labour Party conference to present a petition, backed by over 20,000 signatures, advocating for an extension of the current free meals scheme.

During the event, students distributed leaflets to attendees, raising awareness about their cause. Currently, the government’s Plan for Change aims to alleviate child poverty by providing free meals to children whose families receive Universal Credit. Jo Little, deputy head of Fazakerley Primary School, emphasized the importance of access to nutrition, stating, “Children can’t learn when they are hungry” and expressing pride in their initiative to fight for this basic right.

In June, Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to broaden the free school meals program, targeting every child in England whose parents are on Universal Credit. This expansion aims to lift 100,000 children out of poverty and will benefit more than half a million additional children.

To complement the meal initiative, the government has also introduced measures such as 30 hours of government-funded childcare, free breakfast clubs in primary schools, and a cap on school uniform costs, saving parents as much as £500 each year. The campaign highlights the critical need for children’s welfare, with advocates firmly believing that every child deserves access to nutritious meals.