Lib Dem Councillors are under pressure for delaying the introduction of free school meals for under-11s in Islington.

The measure was due to be introduced by the Council from September after Islington Labour’s recent budget success.

However, the Lib Dem Council administration has refused to implement the measure, deciding instead to run a small-scale pilot in only six schools.

Labour Councillors demanded at the Council’s Overview Committee that the pilot should automatically lead to full-scale implementation of the free school meals programme.  However, the ruling Lib Dems relied on the votes of two unelected members of the committee to see off the recommendation.

Councillor Catherine West, Leader of Islington Labour Group, said: “The Council agreed that children would get free school meals from September.  And now the Liberal Democrats are delaying and they make no promise that they will bring in free school meals at all.

“Parents deserve better, and if the Liberal Democrats aren’t up to the job, then it is about time that they stepped aside for people who really want to make a difference in Islington.”