Delivering the Autumn Statement in the House of Commons today, Mr Osborne said that from September 2014, all pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will receive free school meals (FSM).
The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg first announced plans to extend FSM to all children under eight during the Liberal Democrat conference in September.
The Government will provide £450 million in 2014 to 2015 and £635 million in 2015 to 2016 to the Department for Education to fund this commitment.
To enable schools to meet the offer, the Government is also providing £150 million of capital funding for schools to increase the capacity of their kitchens and dining halls.
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