The Government’s decision to axe a free school meals pilot scheme has cost Bradford parents £10 million, the city’s Labour group claims.

Bradford had been one of four areas across the country selected for the scheme, which was due to start in primary schools in September.

As reported in yesterday’s Telegraph & Argus, Education Secretary Michael Gove has axed the pilot to make savings.

Some £8.34 million was going to be match-funded by Bradford Council to introduce the scheme throughout the district.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the Council’s executive member for children and young people, said the decision would have a negative impact on child health and poverty, and on the district’s economy.

“For all the coalition’s fine words about tackling child poverty this demonstrates their true intentions,” he said.

“The scheme would have had a significant impact on improving children’s health, welfare and academic achievement.

“It would have released up to £10m in local household incomes to spend elsewhere in the district, increased spending with local suppliers by £2m and created a potential 220 part-time jobs. The Government has, at its first opportunity, decided to cut support to some of the poorest communities in the country.”

The district has high numbers of low-income families and disadvantaged children, which is why it was selected to run the programme by the previous Labour government.

Mr Gove, in a letter explaining the decision to his predecessor Ed Balls, said the “tough” call had been made to protect and enhance crucial frontline education budgets.