Cameron Pledge To Keep Free School Meals

David Cameron has told Sky News he is "very proud" of Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) and indicated that the scheme will not be ditched in George Osborne's spending review.

One source close to Number 10 added: "There is no way he is going to scrap it."

The Conservatives committed to the policy in their 2015 manifesto but the Department for Education had recently indicated the programme could be cut as part of George Osborne's November spending review.

Sources in the department warned that UIFSM did not fall under the "protected" area of the education budget.

However, Mr Cameron told Sky News: "We're very proud of what we've done with free school meals. It was an excellent reform carried out in the last parliament."

He added: "We are now going to have a spending review where obviously we have to make sure that we are delivering on our spending promises, but we are very proud of what we've done with free school meals."

The Prime Minister then confirmed that it was in the Conservative manifesto to keep it.

A Downing Street source later made clear that after the money spent on implementing the scheme, the PM was firmly committed to it.

Introduced by Nick Clegg in the last coalition government, the scheme saves the parents of reception, year one and year two pupils about £400 per child, per year.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who advises the government on child obesity, recently told Sky News "it would be a disaster" if the policy was dropped.

Responding to news that the Government will keep the programme, co-author of the School Food Plan John Vincent said: "I am delighted with indications that the Government may be keeping their election promise on this vital policy - as will be the thousands of headteachers and doctors on the front line who understand the impact this will have on children's education and health."