Steve Brine MP has led a debate in the House of Commons on universal infant free school meals.
The experienced MP for Winchester & Chandler's Ford was joined by a number of cross-party MPs who shared their thoughts, and those from their constituencies, on the important subject.
Mr Brine set out "the pressure being felt by headteachers across my constituency when it comes to meeting the cost of what is supposed to be a universal entitlement to free school meals for infant age children." He explained how the gap between funding received and cost of good quality food had grown and the inevitable impact on school budgets.
UK wholesalers have recently expressed concern to MP how the impact of food inflation, rising energy bills and increased labour costs means they are having to take a loss to fulfil their public sector food contracts.
Steve said whilst there was broad welcome for the Government’s recent decision to increase the funding rate for universal infant free school meals by 7p per pupil, this remains well behind the current rise in food inflation which, for wholesalers, is running at 20% according to the Federation of Wholesale Distributors. A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the costings for free school meals found that the price per meal, if it had risen in line with inflation since 2014, would be £2.87 today – clearly a big jump on the current £2.41.
Steve Brine shared a number of figures from local schools across his constituency including one school who had to subsidise meals to the tune of £4,700 between November 2022 and the end of the last financial year and another which told the MP of an £11,000 deficit on school meals during the last year.
He concluded; "We know the provision of a good quality food is key to pupils’ wellbeing and ensuring they are able to fully engage in their teaching and learning.
"We also know school budgets are under pressure but I hope the Minister recognises there is an issue here. We have to ensure that the provision of a good quality meal does not need to be subsidised from funds intended to support core education."
Responding, Schools Minister Nick Gibb MP said the Government were "actively looking at" the issue and promised to work with Steve and other MPs to ensure the issue is not forgotten.
Speaking after the debate, Steve said; "I have been contacted by so many people about this issue and the debate was well attended. I was pleased the Minister recognises this is an inflation linked problem that is having a real impact on school budgets and it was good to secure his commitment that Ministers are actively looking at the funding gap.
"I spoke with the Minister after the debate and will now be flagging the issue to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as, ultimately, we need Treasury commitment."
Steve's full speech and the Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb MP, response along with the interventions of other Members of Parliament is available via SBTV
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