The deputy mayor has called for children to remain receiving free school means so that they can “achieve their potential”.

Families on Universal Credit - a single monthly payment for people out of work or on low income – can currently claim a free lunch.

However, last week the House of Commons voted to reduce eligibility for children in Year Three and above if their parents earn more than £7,400 from April 1.

Cllr Peter Taylor, who is also the Liberal Democrat Candidate in the mayoral elections, believes this will “penalise” hardworking parents.

He said: 'As a former teacher, and a parent to three young children, I am particularly proud of the work that Liberal Democrats did in the coalition to introduce free school meals for infants. All the evidence suggests that children learn better if they have a healthy lunch.

"We must make sure that work always pays. Cutting free school meals once a parents is earning over a certain threshold will penalise parents who are working hard to provide for their children.

“That's why I back the Liberal Democrat policy of providing free school meals to all children in primary education. That way, no child will miss out on a healthy lunch. I want every child to achieve their potential. There is no doubt that providing free lunches for all primary school children would help with this."

Watford Labour’s parliamentary candidate Chris Ostrowski was “outraged” at the decision to reduce children’s free school meal eligibility.

He said last week: “By imposing these limits on families currently receiving universal credit, this Tory government has shown their true colours.

“Some children in Watford will be left without a hot meal.

“This is a shameful Tory cut and it also undermines the Tories’ stated aim of Universal Credit - to make work pay.

“Moving just above the income threshold would leave families hundreds of pounds worse off for each child affected.

“The Children’s Society estimates that this measure could affect over a million children across the country.”

Watford MP Richard Harrington responded: “To be clear, no one who is currently eligible for free school meals under Universal Credit will lose their entitlement, which is absolutely right.

“In fact, under Universal Credit, 50,000 more children will receive school meals by 2022 than they would have done under the previous benefits system."