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EVERY primary school pupil in Liverpool could be offered free school meals under a plan to win the nutrition battle against childhood obesity.
The city is hoping to become the first in the country to introduce free or subsidised meals for all children up to 11-years old, a move likely to cost around £20m a year.
The plan is the most ambitious proposal to date to come from the city’s collaboration with Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) to improve health in schools.
Last night Liverpool’s education supremo Cllr Keith Turner said the scheme could be a huge step forward in improving the health of thousands of youngsters in the city.
Cllr Turner said: “Giving every primary school child a free meal would be a huge incentive for parents and hopefully get them into healthy eating habits which will last a lifetime and reduce obesity.”
A study of the proposal is expected to start in September and report its findings later this year, but talks are already underway between the city council and health officials about the NHS helping to pay for the scheme.