All local authorities have been invited to bid for cash to fund more free school meal pilots from September 2010 for one academic year. The Pre-Budget report last December said the Government would be expanding the successful pilots for universal free school meals to all primary aged children in at least one local authority area in each region of the country.
The scheme has been running in three local authorities - Durham, Newham and Wolverhampton - since September 2009. Durham and Newham are piloting free meals for all primary school children and Wolverhampton is trialling extended eligibility.
Mr Balls said, 'Our commitment to invest a further £35m in these additional universal free school meals pilots will mean thousands of children and their parents will feel the benefit from September.
'I'm delighted that we're now in a position to offer other local authorities the chance to get on board and help us all to understand the positive impact a healthy school meal can have for children.'
Chair of the School Food Trust board, Rob Rees, said, 'We are delighted that every region is to have a universal free school meals pilot. Nutritious, tasty school lunches have an important part to play in improving children's health, well-being and performance and in tackling poverty - issues at the heart of the agenda for so many local authorities. We very much look forward to working with the new pilots as they roll out.'
Local authorities must express their interest by 17 February, with final bids to be submitted to the DCSF by 12 March.
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