By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor PUBLISHED: 11:58 EST, 4 December 2013 | UPDATED: 20:07 EST, 4 December 2013 A furious coalition row erupted last night, with the Liberal Democrats accusing Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove of 'lying' about a flagship policy to give children free school meals. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced £150million to to build and extend kitchens to cope with the expected demand for the scheme to give free hot lunches to every child under the age of seven. But the Department for Education claims an £80million underspend in schools maintenance budget earmarked for the work does not exist, which the Lib Dems dismissed as 'b*******'.
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Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announces £600m free meals policy
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He claims it will improve attainment, child health and save parents cash
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£150million offered for schools to extend kitchens and dining halls
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But Department for Education insists £80m 'underspend' does not exist
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Senior Lib Dem source hits back saying: 'The DfE is talking b*******'
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Downing Street backs Mr Clegg and insists the DfE is wrong
But a DfE source said: 'There is no spare money in either the basic needs or maintenance budget to pay for @placeholder's kitchens.'
'@placeholder and the DfE had their eye on the underspend for free schools... which I think explains the slight bitterness from the DfE in some of the briefing.