Bradford Council is putting up the price of secondary school meals by 5p a day in the new school year.

The rise will cost an extra £9.50 per year for pupils choosing to eat school meals every day, with meal prices increasing to £2.15.

The price of meals served at primary schools will be reviewed in the autumn.

Roger Sheard, the Council’s operations manager, said: “In common with previous years, secondary school meal prices in Bradford are reviewed every summer and adjusted according to inflation and food commodity prices.

“The 5p increase in the price of a secondary school meal from £2.10 to £2.15 is in line with these criteria and takes effect from September. The annual review of the primary school meal price takes place in the autumn and no decision has yet been made.”

Councillor Adrian Naylor, education spokesman for the Council’s Conservative group, said: “I would strongly encourage Bradford Council to look again at using its purchasing power to get the best deals possible and remove an added burden for families.

“I hope this is not a precursor to changes to the cost of primary school meals.”

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader and education spokesman for the Liberal Democrat group, said: “Similar food outlets have come up with similar cost increases.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable that they should rise in line with inflation and food commodity prices, and the most vulnerable families are protected by their entitlement to free school meals."

e-mail: ben.barnett@telegraphandargus.co.uk