Staff in South London schools are feeding children as they are “not able to afford breakfast”, a councillor has said.

The point was made during a discussion on the Mayor of London’s plan to roll out free school meals to primary schools.

At a full Bromley Council meeting on Monday, February 27, Conservative Councillor Kate Lymer was asked by the Labour Group to make a statement on the Mayor of London’s announcement that primary school children in London will receive free school meals for the 2023/24 academic year.

In her statement, the portfolio holder for children and education said that instead of funding meals for children, the mayor should “not take as much money” from people in the first place.

In January, the Mayor of London announced he would be raising the council tax bill for average Londoners by nearly £40.

Cllr Lymer said the meals were being funded by tax from hard-working Londoners and businesses, instead of the mayor himself.

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She said at the meeting: “He is trying to buy people’s votes with freebies.

"However, the problem is that while he is giving with one hand, he will be taking much, much more away with the other.”

Labour Councillor Chris Price said at the meeting that he was stunned by the comments of the portfolio holder.

He asked Cllr Lymer: “Will you be reading that same statement to the head teachers when you meet with them, who have got staff who are feeding their children because they are not able to afford breakfast and they are not entitled to free school meals?”

Cllr Lymer said her statement will be on public record for anyone who wished to see it. The portfolio holder said she was “flabbergasted” that the Labour Group was celebrating the mayor’s scheme, and said it could disrupt schools already on tight budgets.

She said: “This policy is a total nightmare for schools to administer and finance. Many schools won’t have the kitchen and dining facilities that can cope with loads more extra pupils taking more meals at the same time.”

The Mayor of London announced the scheme to give every London primary school pupil free meals for the 2023/24 academic year on February 20.

The mayor said in a statement: “The cost of living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support.

"I have repeatedly urged the government to provide free school meals to help already stretched families, but they have simply failed to act.

“This is why I’m stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals.

"This will save families hundreds of pounds over the year, ensuring parents aren’t worrying about how they’re going to feed their children.

"It will also guarantee every primary school student a healthy, nutritious meal – meaning they don’t go hungry in the classroom and can better concentrate on their studies.”