The Government is guaranteeing that at least one council in the Eastern Region will be able to get extra money to fund free school meals.

Carl is urging the local Tory council to make a bid.

“When I was the portfolio holder for education back in 2004, I was looking at getting universal free school meals in at least a couple of our primaries,” he said.

“Now the Government is offering to pay for half of it, and this Tory-led council should not miss the chance to bid.”

This week the Government has invited all local authorities to bid for cash to fund more universal free school meal pilots. Similar schemes are already running in three local authorities – Durham and Newham and Wolverhampton.

All local authorities in England are being asked to express their interest by 17 February, with final bids to be submitted to the Department for Children, Schools and Families by 12 March.

The new pilots will operate in every region of England starting in September 2010 and last for one academic year. All local authorities can apply and successful authorities will be announced by Easter.

Carl said: “In regions where bids are received from more than one council the successful bid will be determined by high free school meal eligibility and low school meal take-up.

“I think that puts Thurrock in a very good position to succeed. The aim is to maximise the impact of the pilot on lifting children out of poverty.

“School meals guarantee that our children get good wholesome and healthy food, but I know that the cost can be off-putting for some families.

“This council is always going on about ‘improving education and skills’ and it’s well known that a better diet improves young people’s health and their ability and aptitude to learn. This is a chance to actually do something that will affect the lives of hundreds of young people in the most positive way.”