Overview

• The plan would initially target 900,000 children living in poverty who currently miss out on free meals.
• A second phase would extend free meals to all primary school children as public finances improve.
• The proposal is expected to cost £500m, funded by a tax on share buybacks from FTSE 100 companies.
• Critics argue that share buybacks can detract from productive investments in the economy.
• The Lib Dems hope this policy will pressure Labour to adopt a similar stance.