As the press have reported Nick Clegg’s speech to the Lib Dem conference today will include a new significant policy announcement: all pupils at infant schools in England are to get free school lunches from next September.

In addition, disadvantaged students at sixth form colleges and further education colleges in England will also be eligible for free school meals also from next September.

The policy will cost an estimated £600m per year, and save parents about £400 a year per child.

Here’s what the Deputy Prime Minister had to say: “My ambition is that every primary school pupil should be able to sit down to a hot, healthy lunch with their classmates every day. Millions of parents across the country are feeling the squeeze… I am determined to do all we can to help put money back in the pockets of these families.

“We will start with infant school pupils because teaching healthy habits young, and boosting attainment early, will bring the biggest benefits. Universal free school meals will help give every child the chance in life that they deserve, building a stronger economy and fairer society.”

Free school meals was one of the ideas put forward in The School Food Plan, undertaken by Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent. They found that in pilots where all children had been given a free school dinner, students were academically months ahead of their peers elsewhere. They tweeted their delight at the news:

For me, this is one of the most important changes in our education system for a generation. A hot, healthy meal at lunchtime for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will raise school standards and cut the attainment gap.

It would also never have happened without the Liberal Democrats in Government, fighting to cut the cost of living for millions of parents who are feeling the squeeze.