Extending the free school meal revolution

Responding to the Liberal Democrats’ announcement on extending the provision of universal free school meals, Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, said:

“A momentous week for the health and education of our nation’s children – when 1.5million more 5-7 year olds will start receiving free school meals – has just got even better. The Children’s Food Campaign welcomes the Liberal Democrats’ pledge to extend universal free school meal provision to all primary school children by 2019. We hope that each of the main parties mirror this commitment, as a minimum, and also ensure that the school meals served are nutritious and high quality.

The Liberal Democrats join an ever-growing movement of children’s charities, health professionals, academics, head teachers, school caterers and parents in recognising that all primary children should be eligible for a free school meal. The combination of the benefits of universal healthy free school meals – in improving behaviour and attainment in the classroom, the health and wellbeing of children, and in improving the economies of scale for school kitchens – is a winning one.

However, even in the week we celebrate the start of the provision of a free school meal for all infant pupils across England, there are many thousands of children aged 8 and upwards living in poverty who are not eligible. Every child living in poverty, no matter their age, should be eligible for a free school meal.

In addition, parents need confidence that the school meals served are nutritious and high quality.  That is why we will continue to campaign to ensure that the food served in all schools is properly monitored and that, in lieu of a change in the legislation, which we hope political parties will advocate in their manifestos, pressure is kept up on all academies and free schools to meet the new food standards.”