Sector defends universal free school meals amid fears policy will be scrapped

Children in infant schools have been eligible for free school meals since last September following legislation in the Children and Families Act 2014.

But reports in the media over the weekend said ministers are now considering scrapping the programme, which costs around £600m a year and was championed by former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

However organisations in the sector have spoken out in defence of the policy.

A spokesman for the Children’s Food Trust said the scheme ensures that more of the children who most need school lunches actually get them.

“When all children are offered good school meals for free, more families opt for healthy school food because it becomes the norm,” a spokesman said.

“Many children living in poverty aren’t reaching their full potential at school, and their nutrition has an impact on that – which is why every route to help them eat better is a route we should be taking.” 

Myles Bremner, director of the School Food Plan, which oversees the implementation of policy on school food agreed by government, said the government has previously vowed to continue pursuing the policy.

“The government made it very clear that this was a manifesto commitment and Sam Gyimah, the minister with responsibility for school food confirmed in parliament on 20 July that the government is absolutely committed to the policy,” he said.

“The policy is enshrined in law as part of the 2014 Children and Families Act. It is based on the evidence that it improves children’s diets and is linked to improvements in children’s overall attainment.”

He added that the policy has universal support from nutritional experts.

The Department for Education did not comment directly on reports that ministers are considering scrapping the scheme.

“We believe that every child, regardless of their background, should have the same opportunities,” a spokeswoman said.

“That is at the heart of what we are doing with school food – no child should be hindered because they are not eating a nutritious meal at lunchtime.

“We have provided significant financial support to schools to help them deliver universal infant free school meals.

“We have come a long way and the new School Food Standards mean pupils of all ages are eating good food that sows the seeds for healthy eating for life.”