Labour’s demands for a debate on free school meals for Hertsmere’s needy children has prompted the Council to announce a plan for Christmas.

Food for meals will be cooked daily by a charity, but it will require funds from the council for their transportation. The financial support will be considered by Hertsmere’s Executive next week.

Deputy Labour Group Leader, Cllr Christian Gray said: “I welcome news of the initiative to feed the 1800 poorest kids in Hertsmere during the Christmas holiday this year. This is a very good start, and I look forward to the matter coming before the Council for ratification.”

“If the scheme is as advertised it will have my full support.  We must now ensure that the scheme is extended to the other holidays between now and Easter, and that these meals will be provided everyday the children are off, or that our Borough steps up to fill in that gap.  The opposition groups joint motion produced last week has been amended to take this initiative into consideration whilst calling on Council to do just this.”

Today’s announcement will ensure that all 1800 vulnerable youngsters can access hot food delivered to their area after term ends in December.

Hertsmere Borough Council will organise the collection of the meals and ensure their delivery to locations across the borough for parents and carers to collect.

The zero waste and self-sustaining GMSP Foundation model was originally created in India, and it has now been recreated in Watford, providing a much-needed solution to the recommendations on tackling childhood hunger set out in the National Food Strategy. The charity works with numerous local authorities across the country.