Merseyside MP wants to introduce free school meals pilot

Byrne has called on the Government to implement universal free school meals and wants to introduce a pilot scheme in Knowsley which he described as the ‘perfect test bed’.

Byrne told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It can make such a real difference to children's lives, to the economy, to money in people's pockets and in parents pockets. It’s something I've been pushing for a long time.

"This is a perfect place to do it because Knowsley has some of the highest rates of deprivation and obesity and has got a fantastic director of public health Sarah McNulty. I hope the Government commit to looking at the idea and see how we can work to move it forward."