TORIES back in power at Westminster City Council are to cut universal free meals for children at secondary schools.

The move, which will affect hundreds of families across the borough, reverses the previous Labour administration’s policy of going further than statutory obligations.

The change of power came at May’s council elections. The cost of a free school dinner has been assessed as £550 per child per year. and the changes apply to pupils in years seven, eight and nine. Only families on Universal Credit will now qualify, and the council said it was concentrating on helping those who needed support the most.

A Conservative party statement said: “We will not pass the bill to residents by keeping free meals for families who can afford to pay, while services for those who need help most are squeezed.”

Education chief Tory councillor Hannah Galley said: “With all children assessed as needing financial support becoming eligible for free school meals from September, it is the right thing to do to align our secondary school meal offer with the expanded national eligibility criteria.”

She added: “We are committed to supporting those families who need it most, which is why we are continuing to fund our enhanced Holiday Activity and Food programme and the school uniform fund for those pupils transitioning into primary and secondary schools.”

The changes in direction has led to a petition from Labour councillors now filling the opposition benches, after only four years running the council.

“We know that universal, non-stigmatised free school meals are the best way to support hard-working families on a low income,” it said.