Lib Dem Paul Follows, Deputy Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said:

"I have received many enquiries from local parents and carers who are extremely worried about the free school meals alternative being sent out by Surrey County Council. 

"What on earth is going on? The amount of food some parents have received to feed their children is not anything like enough to provide an adequate, nutritious lunch every day.

"The cost of the food in many of the packages I have seen is far less than the amount of public money being charged by contractors. So where is the rest going?

"I have spoken with Surrey County Council seeking an explanation. The very idea of the government or the county potentially allowing profiteering on this sort of thing disgusts me, but I would like investigate further and be more sure of the facts.

"Therefore, if you are in this position yourself and would be happy to send me a note or photo, I would be most grateful. Please email paul.follows@waverley.gov.uk.

"I must stress that I am also in touch with a number of local schools who have opted for vouchers or used a provider of their own choice with better outcomes.

"Our schools have stepped up brilliantly throughout the pandemic, despite the continuous moving of goalposts from the government and overstretched budgets, and I thank them for all they are doing to support our communities."

"Having previously been so slow to respond to calls for hungry children to be given support over school holidays during the pandemic, this time the Conservatives must act fast - please sign my petition calling for just that."

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to investigate the situation urgently and replace inadequate food parcels with food vouchers.

Having u-turned on keeping primary schools in London open, Paul Follows and the local Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to extend this to all schools in Tier 4, including here in Waverley.

"One year ago we were at the polls for the general election 2019. The first one I have ever stood in (and all being well, not my last in South West Surrey). Covid was in the news but we had no idea what it would do to the coming year, locally and nationally.

For the second time, an application from UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) to drill for oil and gas just outside the beautiful village of Dunsfold has been refused.

The Conservative proposals would take away your right to a say on new housing or planning developments and put the future of green spaces in Waverley at risk.

Surrey Conservatives have failed in their bid to scrap the county’s eleven District Councils, but not before wasting almost £250,000 on research and a further £44,000 on printing and delivering a leaflet across Surrey promoting the nutty plan.

Waverley Liberal Democrats are demanding extra support for children living in poverty, and are calling on the Government to extend free school meals so that no child living in poverty misses out - even during holidays and periods of lockdown.

Haslemere Town Council have announced the good news that it has formally signed the transfers of key pieces of land in the town from Waverley Borough Council, including Woodcock Green and Grover’s Garden in Beacon Hill and St Christopher’s Green and Town Meadow in Haslemere.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says that it is now clear that the Government ignored calls from experts for a "circuit break", and urges them to reconsider. Government must also take these 5 steps to get the virus back under control, and protect lives & jobs across Britain.

Waverley Lib Dems have been working hard to support residents and businesses across our area during the COVID-19 pandemic.