The party's education spokesperson Munira Wilson told the party's conference that implementing the policy would give an additional 900,000 pupils a free school lunch, which for many will be their only meal of the day, leading to 'better academic progress, better behaviour and concentration, better health outcomes'.

Wilson also called for a national body for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which would take responsibility for supporting children with the most complex needs. This new body would pay any costs above a certain threshold, helping to end the current postcode lottery that is leaving parents in many areas struggling to access the support for their child they need.

She said: 'Liberal Democrats have plenty of positive proposals to bring to the table. Ideas such as a new national funding body so that the most severely disabled children can have their support paid for centrally, freeing up councils to help others in need.

'In the early years, SEND and more, we will be a constructive opposition to Labour.'