Education secretary Ruth Kelly has promised to end the "scandal" of junk food in schools.

Speaking to the Labour Party conference in Brighton on Wednesday she announced that a ban on vending machines would be added to plans for improving school meals.

Ahead of the publication next week of the school meals review panel, she said was acting both to improve pupils health and education.

"I am absolutely clear: The scandal of junk food served in school must end," she said.

"So today I can announce that we will ban cheap bangers and burgers being served in schools from next September.

"And because children need to eat healthily throughout the day I can also announce that we will ban vending machines as well."

 

Opposition Response: The Conservatives

Shadow education secretary David Cameron said: "At the election ministers rejected Conservative proposals to extend a ban on junk food to vending machines, so this is a positive step," said the shadow education secretary.

"However, tighter standards are only part of the solution. They must be backed by sufficient resources for schools to provide the extra staff and kitchen facilities required - two crucial elements which are not being met in many schools.

"There are also significant challenges posed by rising numbers of pupils switching to packed lunches or absenting themselves at lunchtimes to buy junk food, and the government must address this too.

"We should perhaps consider the role that enforceable home-school contracts could play in ensuring parents take their share of responsibility for the food their children eat whilst at school, recognising the clear benefits that a healthy diet has for behaviour and levels of concentration."

 

Opposition Response: Liberal Democrats

Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "This ban is welcome, but until we make healthy food more appealing to children it's a half measure.

"When some schools have switched from junk to healthy food, they've found children don't choose the fruit and vegetables. It's time more teachers and parents explained to our children why they should 'eat their greens'."

 

 

Stakeholder response: PAT

 

 

 

PAT general secretaryJean Gemmell said: "A good diet and good health go hand in hand. We welcome this as an important step to promote healthy eating. Schools can - and many already do - play an important part in encouraging pupils to eat more healthily.