Free fruit for children in Glasgow’s primary schools is to be axed to save cash amid looming budget cuts.

The Evening Times understands scrapping the popular programme would save £1.8 million a year.

The move, which is likely to anger parents and health campaigners, is expected to be agreed when it comes before councillors.

Last week The Evening Times revealed that council leader Gordon Matheson had called on the Scottish Government to scrap its council tax freeze policy.

He warned that some of the budget decisions councillors would be expected to take were “shocking” and that cuts would be “brutal”.

The plan to axe free fruit is an example of popular policies that are thought to be no longer affordable.

A council insider said: “We do not have enough cash to continue paying for this. When we could afford to do it, it was good, but that’s no longer the case.”

Gordon Matheson said: “What we will do is ensure the quality of teaching and learning in Glasgow is protected.”

Glasgow pioneered the provision of free fruit and free breakfasts in schools in a bid to improve pupil’ capacity for learning.

The initiatives won plaudits from health campaigners and were quickly adopted by other councils.

However, earlier this month at the start of the new school term the free breakfasts were axed, with parents now expected to pay 50p a day per pupil.

Now free fruit is likely to be next to fall victim to council cuts.

Glasgow faces having to make savings of £115m over the next two years, as cuts in the Westminster budget filter through to the block grant from the Scottish Government.

Mr Matheson earlier this month called on John Swinney to scrap the Scotland-wide council tax freeze to allow Glasgow to raise more money, but still keep its £8m share of a £70m sweetener from Holyrood.

A 5% rise in council tax in Glasgow would bring in an extra £25m over two years, which could reduce by more than 20% the £115m the council is expecting to cut.