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Tory plans to axe free school lunches have been scrapped in yet another humiliating climbdown for Theresa May.

It's the Prime Minister's second U-turn in 24 hours - as the Tories are also ditching plans to hold a free vote on bringing back fox hunting.

Schools minister Nick Gibb admitted the Government will "retain the existing provision" under questioning over the controversial measure by Labour's Angela Rayner.

He told MPs in the House of Commons: "We have listened very carefully to the views of the sector on the proposal to remove infant free school meals.

"And we have decided that it is right to retain the existing provision.

"Universal infant free school meals ensure that children receive a nutritious meal during the day - it saves hard working families hundreds of pounds a year and it boosts educational achievement, especially amongst children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds."

Shadow Education Secretary Ms Rayner hailed victory, saying: "Theresa May's ministers are now in full-scale retreat from their own manifesto. "

(Image: SWNS.com)

She added: "The coalition of chaos is crumbling before our eyes."

Theresa May was branded a 'lunch snatcher' when she unveiled plans to end free school lunches for all those in infant school, aged five to seven.

Instead the Tory manifesto said there would be free breakfasts for all primary school pupils, aged five to ten.

Mrs May claimed a free breakfast would be just as beneficial to children as a hot lunch, and would come at a fraction of the cost.

But she put aside just £60million to fund the plan, a which, if taken up by everyone who was eligible, would be just 7p for every breakfast.