COLLEGES have welcomed news that disadvantaged students in further education will be eligible for free school meals.
Free meals are currently available only for eligible students at school sixth form.
But deputy prime minister Nick Clegg announced the coalition will end the anomoly by extending the scheme to colleges.
The news was welcomed by the Association of Colleges (AoC), which has been pushing for the change as part of its No Free Lunch? Campaign.
More than 10,000 people signed the AoC’s e-petition calling for the change on the 10 Downing Street website, among them a number MPs including former education secretary David Blunkett.
A delighted Martin Doel, AoC chief executive, said: “This is great news.”
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