Man Charged With Murder Of Beheaded Woman

A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of 82-year-old Palmira Silva who was beheaded in north London.

Nicholas Salvador, of Gilda Avenue, Enfield, north London, is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court later today, Scotland Yard said.

He faces a further charge of assault on a police officer.

Salvador had been taken to hospital and remained under police guard before being questioned by officers and charged.

Ms Silva was found collapsed in a back garden in Nightingale Road, Edmonton on Thursday before being pronounced dead at the scene.

The house in the busy street where Ms Silva's body was found became the scene of a major police operation after officers were called to the area.

Metropolitan Police officers said after the operation that there were no signs of a link to terrorism.

Tributes have been paid to the elderly woman of Italian descent who ran a nearby cafe.

Dilek Solma, 19, who works next door, said: "I'm so upset. She was a very smiley lady, always had a smile on her face, and loved the community."

Another shop worker Raj Thangavelselvaraj, 50, said: "She was a nice lady, she was a good lady to everyone. It's very sad."

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Judge Says Ashya Can Be Flown To Prague

A High Court judge has ruled that brain tumour patient Ashya King can be flown to the Czech Republic for specialist treatment.

Mr Justice Baker approved the move following telephone discussions between lawyers representing Ashya's parents and the hospital in Southampton where he was being treated.

He is expected to give more details of the agreement reached at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Monday.

Five-year-old Ashya is expected to be flown to the Czech capital Prague later today.

Ashya's parents Brett and Naghemeh King answer questions from the media

He is currently in hospital in the coastal town of Malaga in southern Spain after being made a ward of court.

That happened after his mother and father took him from Southampton General without permission to receive proton beam therapy, which is not available on the NHS.

They went to Spain where they have a property they planned to sell to pay for the treatment, which costs tens of thousands of pounds.

Soon after Brett and Naghemeh King, who have six other children, were detained under a European arrest warrant issued by the UK.

Mr and Mrs King arrive to see Ashya in hospital

They were freed from prison on Tuesday night after the case against them was dropped amid a public backlash, and were later reunited with their son at the Materno-Infantil Hospital in Malaga.

Earlier, the Czech Proton Therapy Centre in Prague said they would help transport Ashya and his parents to the city.

Spokeswoman Iva Tatounova told Sky News: "We have a private jet ready when needed to transfer Ashya from Spain.

"We were asked by Spanish and UK specialists if we are ready and how the transportation will be provided.

The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague

"We told them we are ready and we can arrange it. If the court allows it and the parents agree with the treatment we can transport them here."

The centre says it has seen Ashya's medical records and believes proton therapy will be suitable for him. It added it can provide all the care he needs.

Once Ashya arrives there Mr Justice Baker said he will cease to be a ward of court.

A fundraising page set up to help pay for his treatment has so far raised more than £41,000, while charity Kids'n'Cancer UK said they have agreed to pay the £100,000 needed for the therapy, plus living costs, after donors pledged £35,000 in 24 hours.

Ashya receiving treatment in hospital

Mr and Mrs King say they removed Ashya from Southampton General Hospital because they were not happy with the treatment on offer there.

They say they informed staff of their plans to take him abroad although they did not give a date for fear they might be stopped.

In a statement issued after the judge's ruling, the hospital said: "Today's judgement will allow Ashya to get the treatment he urgently needs without any further delays.

"Throughout the period that we cared for Ashya and over the last few days, our only interest has been his health, medical treatment and welfare.

"We will continue to support any clinicians involved in his future care with advice and information."

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Woman Found Beheaded In Back Garden Named

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 82-year-old woman was beheaded in broad daylight in a suburban back garden.

Palmira Silva, a widow believed to be of Italian descent, was found at an address in Edmonton, north London just after 1pm after police received reports of a man with a knife in Nightingale Road.

Other potential victims escaped in what appears to be a random attack, Sky sources say.

Police and ambulance crews are at the scene. Pic: redbutdred

Police say they do not believe there is a terrorist motive but have not confirmed if Ms Silva, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was beheaded.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "They haven't confirmed that the woman has been beheaded, refusing at this stage to discuss the injuries she's suffered.

"But we are on very good sources reporting the fact that the woman was found decapitated and police are certainly not telling us that we're wrong in doing that."

Police officers at the scene of the stabbing

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area as police arrived and he was seen attacking a car.

The first report police received said a man was attacking an animal, a cat or a dog.

One local resident, who did not want to be named, described seeing a man brandishing a machete and shouting about cats.

Sky sources say it was a random attack

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was cornered in a house by officers after moving through a number of back gardens.

Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford said: "Officers who attended the scene have evacuated a number of those people from those premises to make them safe.

"During that period they distracted the man from carrying out any further attacks."

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area

An attempted attack on two people at another address in Nightingale Road is also being investigated. Police say they believe they were able to get out of the house without being injured.

One witness has told Sky News a man was "fighting" with police.

The suspect was detained by firearms officers and taser stun guns were fired.

It is not known what weapon was used

One officer was injured during the arrest and is believed to have suffered a broken wrist.

The man was injured in the arrest and is being treated in hospital, where he is under guard.

Police will then determine whether he can be interviewed.

A police officer was injured as the man was arrested

A weapon has been recovered but police have not revealed what it was.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, who is leading the investigation, described it as a "a highly visible attack in broad daylight".

He said: "I can understand why this may cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for anyone else at this stage."

Police described the incident as a "highly visible attack"

Residents are still waiting to be allowed back into their homes and the road remains cordoned off as forensic officers continue their work.

Ms Silva's next of kin have been informed.

A neighbour who knew her said she was "such a sweet lady" who went to work every day in a nearby cafe.

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Witness: Suspect 'Was Fighting' With Police

Woman Found Beheaded In Back Garden Named

Updated: 9:29pm UK, Thursday 04 September 2014

A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 82-year-old woman was beheaded in broad daylight in a suburban back garden.

Palmira Silva, a widow believed to be of Italian descent, was found at an address in Edmonton, north London just after 1pm after police received reports of a man with a knife in Nightingale Road.

Other potential victims escaped in what appears to be a random attack, Sky sources say.

Police say they do not believe there is a terrorist motive but have not confirmed if Ms Silva, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was beheaded.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "They haven't confirmed that the woman has been beheaded, refusing at this stage to discuss the injuries she's suffered.

"But we are on very good sources reporting the fact that the woman was found decapitated and police are certainly not telling us that we're wrong in doing that."

Witnesses reported seeing a man running around the area as police arrived and he was seen attacking a car.

The first report police received said a man was attacking an animal, a cat or a dog.

One local resident, who did not want to be named, described seeing a man brandishing a machete and shouting about cats.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was cornered in a house by officers after moving through a number of back gardens.

Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford said: "Officers who attended the scene have evacuated a number of those people from those premises to make them safe.

"During that period they distracted the man from carrying out any further attacks."

An attempted attack on two people at another address in Nightingale Road is also being investigated. Police say they believe they were able to get out of the house without being injured.

One witness has told Sky News a man was "fighting" with police.

The suspect was detained by firearms officers and taser stun guns were fired.

One officer was injured during the arrest and is believed to have suffered a broken wrist.

The man was injured in the arrest and is being treated in hospital, where he is under guard.

Police will then determine whether he can be interviewed.

A weapon has been recovered but police have not revealed what it was.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, who is leading the investigation, described it as a "a highly visible attack in broad daylight".

He said: "I can understand why this may cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for anyone else at this stage."

Residents are still waiting to be allowed back into their homes and the road remains cordoned off as forensic officers continue their work.

Ms Silva's next of kin have been informed.

A neighbour who knew her said she was "such a sweet lady" who went to work every day in a nearby cafe.

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Murder Hunt After Woman's Body Found In Field

Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of a woman was found in a field in the New Forest.

Hampshire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team (HMIT) said police were called to the field on Lyndhurst Road in the village of Beaulieu at 4.42pm on Tuesday after the body was discovered.

It is thought the woman was tending to her horse prior to her death.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, who is leading the investigation said: "We are treating the discovery of a woman's body in Beaulieu as murder.

"I am unable at this time to provide any further information regarding the victim until all of the family has been informed and formal identification has taken place."

A Home Office forensic pathologist is carrying out the post-mortem examination.

Det Supt Barton said police patrols have been stepped up in the area near where the body was found.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Lyndhurst Road on Tuesday between 2pm and 5pm to come forward.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Hampshire Major Investigation Team (HMIT) on 101 or via the website quoting Operation Biscotti.

Alternatively they can contact charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

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Ashya 'So Pleased' To Be Reunited With Parents

The parents of cancer patient Ashya King have said he was so pleased to be reunited with them that he struggled to get his breath.

Brett and Naghemeh King have seen the five-year-old for the first time since they were arrested on Saturday after taking him from Southampton General Hospital.

As he left the Materno-Infantil hospital in Malaga with his oldest son Danny, Mr King spoke of the moment he saw Ashya again.

"He couldn't breathe he was so happy," he said. "He was so pleased to see us. We're trying to be hopeful. Tomorrow I meet with the cancer specialist.

"He's not in such a good state as when we left him - spirit depressed since his parents left him. We'll do what it takes. Not much else to do."

Mr and Mrs King arrive at the hospital in Malaga

Hospital officials said they expected Mrs King to stay the night with Ashya, who is recovering from an operation to remove a brain tumour.

He was admitted to the Materno-Infantil hospital after his after parents were detained and taken to a jail near Madrid pending an extradition hearing.

They were freed on Tuesday night after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against them amid growing protests over the case.

The reunion appeared to be in doubt when Mr King claimed he would be barred from visiting Ashya as the five-year-old had been made a ward of court.

Ashya with his brother Naveed

However, it was quickly established this did not mean his parents were not able to see him.

Mr King said earlier he and his wife had been treated like "terrorists" since taking Ashya abroad for alternative proton beam therapy.

He insisted they had informed Southampton General of their intentions to go to the Czech capital Prague and there was no need for them to respond as they did.

But chief paediatrician Dr Peter Wilson said staff at Southampton General were taken by surprise and were "very, very worried" when they realised Ashya was missing, which is why they called police.

Dr Peter Wilson talking to Sky News

"At no stage did the family say to us that they were going to take Ashya and go to Prague," he said.

The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague says doctors in Southampton have agreed to refer Ashya to the clinic after two cycles of chemotherapy in the UK, which was likely to take several weeks.

A fundraising page set up to help pay for the therapy has so far raised more than £21,000, while Charity Kids'n'CancerUK said they have agreed to provide the £100,000 needed for the treatment, plus living costs, after donors pledged £35,000 in 24 hours.

The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague

Chief executive Mike Hyman said: "I have spoken to Ashya's brother, Naveed, and he is dead chuffed."

A hearing at the High Court in London on Tuesday was adjourned until next week to give Mr and Mrs King and the authorities time to reach an agreement on Ashya's future.

The hope is this will happen very soon, possibly on Friday. If they fail the judge will decide what is best for him.

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Ashya King's Parents Released From Custody

The parents of Ashya King have been freed from custody in Madrid and are believed to be heading to Seville for a meeting with their lawyer.

Their release follows the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to drop the case against them.

As Ashya's father Brett King left detention he told reporters: "We are completely relieved. Thank you so much for your support.

"We are going as soon as possible to see my son. We have been dying to see his face for so long."

The Kings' oldest son Danny, who is in the coastal town of Malaga where Ashya is being treated, said he was "shocked" when he learned they were free.

"We have been waiting so long for this moment," he told Sky News. "I just want to thank everyone who spoke out in favour of my parents, especially Nick Clegg and David Cameron."

Brett King is driven away

Another brother, Naveed, said on Facebook: "BREAKING NEWS: My parents are now free! SPREAD THE WORD! WOW THIS IS AMAZING! SO OVERJOYED! WOW!"

Danny said Ashya was comfortable at the Materno-Infantil hospital, but he was the only English child there and the only one without a family member constantly by his side.

Aged five, he did not really understand what had been happening and would be thrilled to see his parents again.  

An international arrest warrant was issued after Mr and Mrs King took Ashya from Southampton General Hospital, where he was being treated for a brain tumour.

Ashya with his mother Naghemeh

They were detained on Saturday near Malaga and taken to Madrid, where they were kept in separate jails, pending an extradition hearing.

Their release came after the CPS announced it was seeking to withdraw the arrest warrant and would be taking no further action against them.

In a statement the CPS said: "We are now in the process of communicating this decision to the Spanish Authorities so that they can be reunited with their son as soon as possible."

The move was welcomed by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said: "It's important this little boy gets treatment and the love of his family."

Earlier Mr Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg joined the mounting calls for Ashya to be reunited with his parents.

An online petition started by Ethan Dallas, 16, a friend of Ashya's brother Naveed, had attracted nearly 200,000 signatures at 5pm on Tuesday.

Mr and Mrs King, from Portsmouth, took Ashya out of the country so he could receive alternative proton beam therapy in the Czech capital Prague.

They were apparently planning to sell their apartment near Malaga to pay for the treatment.

Ethan Dallas (L) helps deliver the petition to Number Ten

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the Government was proposing to fly a top oncologist to Spain to advise the family.

He said the NHS does offer proton beam therapy for children who need it and had funded 99 patients in the last year, but  added: "It is not always appropriate, it is not always safe."

A spokesman for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said it had been willing to support the family's wish to go to Prague for treatment, but "did not recommend it".

After Ashya's tumour was "successfully" removed on July 24, Mr and Mrs King were told there was "likely to be no difference in survival between standard radiotherapy and proton radiotherapy and overall no proven significant benefit".

With the correct treatment, doctors believed Ashya's chances of survival were "very good" - between 70% and 80%.

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Nato Summit: Ukraine Crisis To Top The Agenda

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

World leaders will begin arriving in the UK today ahead of the start of a two-day Nato summit in Wales tomorrow.

Some 61 heads of state are expected to gather at The Celtic Manor Resort outside Newport, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine set to top the agenda of discussions.

Leaders will be joined by officials from the European Union, the UN, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

A further 5,000 delegates are expected to gather to discuss the future of the Nato alliance.

Speaking at Downing Street ahead of the summit, David Cameron has condemned the ongoing violence in Ukraine, describing it as "disgraceful".

He told an audience of international delegates in London on Tuesday night: "What's happening in the Ukraine right now is disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

Mr Cameron has described the violence in Ukraine as "disgraceful"

"Members of Nato want and deserve real reassurance that our Article V commitments are rock solid."

He said he wanted the upcoming conference to demonstrate a "very clear, unified and strong message" about the importance of Nato globally.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has also warned that Nato must show it still has the political will to fight back in the event of a Russian attack on any member states.

Western nations have repeatedly accused Russia of intervening militarily in the conflict in Ukraine. The claims have been denied by Moscow.

Mr Hammond said: "For Nato to maintain its credibility in the future, we have to demonstrate that we maintain the political will to act to defend ourselves and our interests.

"We have to be clear that we have not lost the appetite to intervene when our interests or our obligations require us to do so.

Mr Obama will travel to Wales after a visit to the Baltic states today

"If we lack, or are perceived to lack, the political will to respond - and to do so quickly - the credibility of that commitment to collective defence will be undermined, and the very fabric of this, most successful of alliances, will unravel.

"So we have to be clear with Russia, in particular, that while we support a political resolution to the situation in eastern Ukraine, there is a red line around Nato member states themselves that cannot be crossed."

Nato's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance is set to create a high-readiness force in Eastern Europe as a bulwark against potential Russian aggression.

Mr Rasmussen said the unit would be a spearhead that could be deployed at very short notice to help Nato members defend themselves against any threat.

The murder of another US journalist by Islamic State militants will also feature in bilateral discussions between Western allies at the summit.

US President Barack Obama will head to Wales after a visit to the Baltic States.

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How Scottish 'Yes' May Impact 'Invisible Border'

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

For those that live along the invisible border that divides Scotland and England, daily life could change dramatically with a Yes vote in the September 18 referendum.

These communities, from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Coldstream to Gretna, will certainly feel the effect of any changes first.

While business and families could suddenly find themselves exporting and travelling abroad, currency is the top concern for most people.

Harry Frew, owner of Cheviot Trees - a farm based in Scotland, but so near the border it has an English postcode - says the uncertainty is damaging.

"Currency is our biggest issue," Mr Frew said.

"It would be a major impact on the business, a lot of extra admin and costs. If Scotland was to end up with euros, we would have to become used to invoicing in euros. Personally I think it is something we'd rather avoid."

Whether Scotland keeps the pound, adopts the euro or produces its own tender will determine the ease and cost of doing business on both sides.

Farm owner Harry Frew and Sky's Poppy Trowbridge

Cross-border workers may find themselves subject to two different tax regimes.

Eventually there could be two entirely different systems for borrowing, saving, buying and selling, working and retiring between the two countries.

Stephen Hay, head of tax at Baker Tilly in Edinburgh, said: "Of course people are going to be concerned about the pound in their pocket.

"A pensioner in Scotland will receive a pension, but the tax he pays on that pension could be higher or lower than a pensioner in England under independence.

"If the tax rate is higher in Scotland then clearly the less they'll have and equally if the tax rate is lower in Scotland the more they'll have, so I would imagine that will be a particular issue for a lot of people."

The Scotland referendum is just over two weeks away

The Scottish Government plans to set the state pension at £160 per week, while the UK will set the new single tier rate next year, it's likely to be slightly lower around £148.

The current Scottish Government's White Paper also suggests that in the event of independence, it would review (and possibly withdraw) the UK Government's decision to raise the retirement age to 67 - keeping it at 65.

Home Secretary Theresa May has threatened checkpoints along the boundary should an independent Scotland pursue an immigration policy more lenient than that of the UK.

That could mean commuters would require passports.

The Scottish Government proposes one major simplification though.

An independent Scotland would replace the 95 ombudsmen that deal with a range of consumer issues within the UK: from roofing, to renewable energy, to financial services, with a single Scottish Consumer and Competition authority.

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Scottish Referendum: No Vote's Lead Narrows

The No vote's lead ahead of the Scottish Referendum has narrowed to just six points, according to a new poll.

The YouGov poll suggests support for Scottish independence has risen eight points over the past month.

The six-point lead for the No camp is down from 14 points in mid-August, and 22 points from early last month, excluding undecided voters.

The poll found that 53% of those questioned planned to vote No, while 47% would back Yes.

The poll found that 53% of those questioned planned to vote No

Blair Jenkins, chief executive of Yes Scotland, said the poll showed the Yes campaign has gained momentum.

"This breakthrough poll shows that Yes has the big momentum - it's an all-time high for Yes support in a YouGov survey so far, and an eight-point swing from No to Yes in just three weeks.

"We only need another three-point swing to achieve a Yes for Scotland on September 18."

The latest poll for The Sun and The Times questioned 1,063 respondents between August 28 and September 1.

Better Together Campaign Director Blair McDougall said: "We need the silent majority who back a No vote to do their bit.

Scottish voters are due to go to the polls on September 18

"Whether it's voting on the day, knocking on doors, making phone calls or speaking to friends and family, the silent majority should feel confident in speaking up.

"We will not be complacent for one second and will do everything we can to secure the brightest future for Scotland within the UK.

"The nationalists talk as if they are winning, but the truth is this is yet another poll showing the campaign for Scotland to stay in the UK in the lead.

"We speak for the majority of Scots, but this poll confirms that if people want Scotland to stay in the UK then they need to vote for it."

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Ashya's Parents Held After Missing Boy Found

The parents of Ashya King, who was taken out of hospital against medical advice, have been arrested after being found with their son in Spain.

Police say officers in the Malaga area pulled over the family's car at 9pm UK time and found the five-year-old and his parents inside.

The boy from Portsmouth, who underwent "extensive surgery" during an operation on his brain tumour seven days ago, has been taken to hospital.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Shead of Hampshire Constabulary said his parents, Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, were in custody after being arrested on a European arrest warrant.

"We don't have many details on Ashya's condition at this point in time but what we do know is that he was showing no visible signs of distress," he said.

An international search was launched after Ashya was taken on Thursday

"There are no winners in this situation. I've said all along that this must be a terribly distressing time for Ashya's family and I stand by that now."

He added that it was too soon to say when Ashya would come back to the UK but said Southampton General Hospital had been contacted so they can liaise with doctors taking care of him in Spain.

"Ashya's brothers and sisters were not in the vehicle," he said.

"We have located them. They're all okay, they're fine. They are actually in a hotel about 10 miles away."

He said a team of Hampshire police officers would now be travelling to Spain to continue the investigation.

It came as footage emerged on video-sharing website YouTube in which Ashya's father, a Jehovah's Witness, insists they had taken him from hospital to seek a cancer treatment not available on the NHS.

"We were much disturbed today to find that his face is all over the internet and newspapers and we've been labelled as kidnappers, putting his life at risk, neglect," he says.

"There's been a lot of talk about this machine. As you see, it's all plugged in. We've got loads of these feeds here, we've got iron supplements and we've got Calpol.

French media had picked up the story after Ashya was taken from hospital

"As you can see, there's nothing wrong with him. He's very happy actually, since we took him out of hospital. He's been smiling a lot more, he's been very much interacting with us.

"But I just wanted to say very quickly why we took him out of the hospital.

"The surgeon did a wonderful job on his head that took out the brain tumour, completely they reckon. But straight away afterwards he went into what's called posterior fossa syndrome, which means very limited moving or talking or doing anything."

He said he had spoken to specialists after Ashya's surgery and had requested proton beam treatment, which was not available on the NHS.

"Proton beam is so much better for children with brain cancer," he said.

"We pleaded with them for proton beam treatment. They looked at me straight in the face and said with his cancer - which is called medulloblastoma - it would have no benefit whatsoever.

"I went straight back to my room and looked it up and the American sites and French sites and Switzerland sites where they have proton beam said the opposite, it would be very beneficial for him."

Mr King also urged police to call off "this ridiculous chase".

"We're not neglecting our son, he's in perfectly good health," he said.

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but are open to other medical procedures.

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Schools Struggling With Free Hot Meals Plan

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

Some primary schools will not be ready to give children free hot meals when term starts this week, it has been warned.

All state educated infants, year one and year two pupils in England are entitled to free school dinners from September under plans announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg last year.

A total of £2.30 is being allocated per pupil per day to pay for the scheme, but some councils and schools say they have not had the time or money to create the new kitchens and dining rooms that are needed.

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Middlesex will serve meals in the classrooms and use outside caterers until its new kitchen is completed next year.

The school's headteacher, Anne Lyons, told Sky News she supports the plans to give children free food but added: "We've had virtually no funding to implement this, other than the £2.30, which is why we don't have a kitchen.

"We've had to already buy our own furniture, tables and chairs, and so that is a strain on the budget."

Mr Clegg says the changes will ensure all children get a nutritious meal and will save parents and taxpayers money.

However, a survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) published in August found 47% of councils questioned said they had not received enough money from the Department of Education to pay for the changes.

The LGA claimed on average those that were short would need to find around £488,000 to ensure all of the pupils got meals, which could mean taking money from other budgets.

In a statement, a Department for Education spokesman said 239 schools, around 1.5%, would not be ready to serve hot meals at the beginning of term, adding: "We have provided significant financial support to schools to help them deliver the policy, including over £1bn over the next two years to pay for the costs of providing the meals.

"Schools and local authorities have also received £150m of additional capital to help upgrade facilities, and we have allocated an extra £22.5m specifically to help small schools."

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