Fifth of town kids eligible for free meals

THOUSANDS of children in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from a major change to free school meals from next year.

- BY JOSEPH TIMAN, RICHARD AULT, AND NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

The move, which extends the lifeline benefit to all kids in families who receive Universal Credit, could save parents up to £500 a year.

More than half a million children across the country are expected to become eligible for free school meals as a result of the change.

Manchester council leader Bev Craig said 'thousands of children' across the region will benefit.