Axing free milk would have added to financial burden, says NDNA
Ross Watson
Monday, August 9, 2010
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has defended the government's decision to reject the plan to cut free milk for under-fives, saying it would add to the financial burden on providers and parents.
Junior health minister Anne Milton originally proposed scrapping the Nursery Milk Scheme, which is expected to cost £50m this financial year, in a letter to the Scottish government last week.
But education minister David Willetts was forced to perform a U-turn on live television yesterday after David Cameron intervened to protect the scheme as Willetts defended the proposed cuts.
Purnima Tanuku, NDNA chief executive, said that Cameron was right to intervene as the removal of government funding for milk would have increased the financial burden on childcare providers and parents.
"NDNA and its members would be concerned by any possible ending of the scheme, as otherwise this would be another cost that nurseries would need to charge parents for, which pushes up the cost of childcare further," she said. "A drink of milk and healthy snack is part of nursery life. It is vital that funding that supports the health of young children, especially those from needy backgrounds, is fully protected."
