Thousands more children are now entitled to free school meals.

An additional 10,400 youngster in Croydon are set to benefit from the Government’s expansion of the free school meal programme, which came into effect on Monday.

Of these children 2,487 are currently living in poverty.

This new policy will mean that children in Croydon can now rely on at least one nutritious meal every day, helping hard-pressed families face rising costs and food prices.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Children’s Society, said: “The extension of free school meals to all infants in London is a positive step forward in the fight against child poverty, and shows that the Government recognises the hardship that thousands of families are facing.

“But for poor youngsters older than seven, nothing has changed.

“That’s why it is vital that ministers build on this to make sure that every child in poverty is guaranteed a free school meal, whatever their age.”

Nationally, 3.7m children are living in poverty.