THE NUMBER of children eligible for Free School Meals in Oxfordshire has soared over the past five years, new data has revealed.

In the five years between the academic years of 2015/16 to 2020/21 the number of pupils eligible for free lunches jumped from 8.8 per cent to 12.7 per cent - an increase of almost four per cent.

The data, from gov.uk, comes as energy, food, and fuel costs are to rise across the UK.

Labour MP Anneliese Dodds, who represents Oxford East, has demanded that the Conservative government set out a plan to tackle the soaring food prices as the cost of living increases.

The MP said: "The shocking rise in the number of children eligible for Free School Meals in our county over the last five years shows the abject failure of the Conservative government to tackle low wages and improve living standards for Oxfordshire families.

"Now inflation is spiralling, yet the government has no plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and ensure families can access healthy and good quality food.

"Labour’s plan to keep bills low would cut £200 off most household energy bills, with £600 in total going to those households who need it most – cancelling out almost the entire rise that’s about to hit local families.

"The next Labour government would support British business to bolster sustainability and affordability of good quality food as part of our contract to deliver security, prosperity and respect for the British people."