School dinners
An extra £280m over three years is to be spent on improving school meals in England - as TV chef Jamie Oliver's campaign on the issue reaches its climax.
At least 50p will be spent on each primary school lunch and 60p in secondaries. Some primaries currently spend as little as 37p per portion on ingredients.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
Ruth Kelly, education secretary, said: "This £280 million package will make a real difference. Every school will now be able to spend a minimum of 50p per pupil on ingredients for school meals. This new investment will transform what is offered to children and teenagers in our schools so that high-quality healthy food is on every child's plate.
"But it is not just about money for ingredients, it is also about ensuring schools have the expertise available. To help schools make the change, the new School Food Trust will give independent support and advice to schools and parents to improve the standard of school meals.
"And it is not just about banning what is unhealthy, it is also about promoting what is healthy. Tough minimum nutrition standards coupled with continued work to promote good health to young people in schools will help them understand the importance of eating a balanced diet."
Party Response: Conservative
Tim Collins, shadow education secretary, said: "I am afraid that after eight years in government, for Tony Blair to claim he is really passionate about school dinners after a celebrity TV programme, will leave people feeling incredibly cynical.
"After eight years in office, 10 education bills, four secretaries of state, and a five-year education plan which did not even mention this issue, it is breathtakingly cynical for Tony Blair suddenly to claim he is passionate about the quality of school meals. It is typical of his style of government to ignore an issue until a celebrity makes a TV programme about it.
"We should not be paying out for food that is going to cause major health problems in later life. We need to look at vending machines, selling crisps and fizzy drinks that have a direct link to poor health and poor behaviour. We would be in favour of banning junk food, getting rid of vending machines. We need to do the right thing for our children."
Party Response: Liberal Democrats
Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said : "This new funding will need to continue beyond the next three years, otherwise it will be a case of 'please sir, can we have some more.
"Conspicuous by its absence is a commitment to strict nutritional standards for school dinners. It is not enough to only regulate the levels of fat and salt in processed foods.
"Ruth Kelly shouldn't be wasting taxpayers' money on a new quango to tell her about healthy eating, when sensible nutritional guidelines have already been developed by reputable bodies such as the Food Standards Agency.
"Schools need to provide well balanced meals, rich in fruit and vegetables, that are attractive to young children. That is the challenge we must meet if we are to change the eating habits of a generation."
Stakeholder Response: Canderel
A spokeswoman for Canderel said:"We wholeheartedly support the government's initiatives to improve the quality of school meals and aims to introduce tougher nutritional standards.
"It is clear that children in the
"Communicating positive messages to children and parents about healthy eating is also essential, ensuring that the importance of nutrition and a balanced lifestyle is not only applied in schools but also at home. We need to achieve a 'complete education' on nutrition and a balanced diet - informing parents, supporting local authorities and improving school meals."
Stakeholder Response: Secondary Heads Association
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"I am disappointed that the Secretary of State found it necessary to say that Ofsted will be inspecting the quality of school meals. This is just silly. Food inspectors are not asked to inspect the quality of education and education inspectors should not be asked to inspect the quality of food.
"It remains to be seen whether the proposed School Food Trust makes effective use of its £60m funding."
Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers
A PAT spokesperson said: "We welcome this announcement of extra funding as a significant step in the right direction. We also particularly welcome the government's proposals to involve parents, raise minimum standards, improve facilities and offer training and qualifications for staff.
"PAT has backed Jamie Oliver's 'Feed Me Better' campaign, and has been calling for greater investment in school meals."
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