News

LACA has welcomed the commitment from David Cameron today at Prime Minister’s Questions that the Government will be keeping the Universal Infant Free School Meals policy.

LACA Chair Peter McGrath said it was a vital policy which provides over one million extra children a free and healthy school meal every day and is of huge benefit to children, parents, schools and the school meals industry.

Despite reports earlier in the month that suggested the policy may be scrapped under the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) the Prime Minister’s commitment in Parliament to keeping the policy is great news for all those involved.

McGrath added: “This commitment is hugely welcomed by all those in the Education Catering Sector and schools alike.

“The Universal Infant Free School Meals programme provides over one million more children with a healthy, nutritious meal for free, every weekday during term time and brings with it a raft of benefits.

“In addition to the improvements in behaviour, concentration and general health and wellbeing of children, the policy also saves parents on average £400 a year and provides a boost to the entire supply chain and wider economy of the UK.

“We are glad to see that the Prime Minister and Government are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our children and to raising a generation of healthy adults.”