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Schools minister David Laws has recently written to all the directors of children’s services and local authorities in England, outlining further funding details and reminding them that service delivery is a legal duty

In it school meals providers have been given more information about the funding of universal free school meals for infants starting in September, along with encouragement that the benefits for children and schools are worth the challenges involved in introducing the scheme.

The Liberal Democrat MP says: “As you may be aware, there are important changes happening in school lunch provision in state-funded infant and primary schools.

“The Government has announced that, from September 2014, we will provide funding to enable schools to offer a free lunch to every primary school child in reception classes, year 1 and year 2.

“We have also announced that we intend to amend the Children and Families Bill which is currently before Parliament to place a legal duty on primary schools to deliver this important commitment.

“In addition to making over £1bn in revenue funding available over the next two years, the Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement that the Government will be making capital funding of £150m available in 2014-15 to support schools in providing free school meals to all children in reception, year 1 and year 2 from September 2014.

“The details of the capital allocations for universal infant free school meals by local authority were announced on 18 December and can also be found at http://tinyurl.com/qh992nu.

“We know, from pilot projects held between 2009-2011, that universal free school meals can have significant benefits both for individual children and for the broader life of the school.

“Pupils in the pilot areas were found to eat more healthily and perform better academically – and these improvements were most pronounced among the poorest pupils.

“Schools also reported improved behaviour and atmosphere, as a result of all pupils (and an increasing number of teachers) eating together every day.

“Clearly, it is for you to prioritise capital expenditure according to your local circumstances. However, I hope that you will identify ways to use this funding to help schools secure the benefits of universal infant free school meals for their pupils.

“I would like to encourage you to consider how this funding could be used to improve school kitchen and dining facilities, and to support creative approaches to meeting the increase in demand for school food, such as through the expansion of hub kitchens.

“Your allocation includes an element for the voluntary-aided sector, and you will also want to consider working with colleagues in this sector as you take your plans forward.

“You will also shortly be notified of your maintenance allocations for 2014-15; it is for you to judge how best to use these funds to meet school needs.

“We have also announced how revenue funding for this policy will be allocated in 2014-15. After discussion with local authorities, schools and caterers, we have decided that the fairest approach is to allocate schools a flat rate of £2.30 per meal taken, based on actual take-up by newly eligible infant pupils which will be measured in the Schools Census from next year.

“In addition, we recognise that some smaller schools will face particular challenges. We will therefore be providing transitional funding totalling £22.5m in 2014-15 for small schools, which will be provided before the start of the new academic year.

“More details will be made available shortly.

“To help you with your plans, which may involve renegotiating existing catering contracts, the Government has set up a webpage on free schools meals, which you can find at: http://tinyurl.com/d7ywsnj. This will provide more details on the support available for the implementation of the policy once they become available.

“If you want to contact the Department directly, you can do so at freeschoolmeals.mailbox@education.gsi.gov.uk.

“I would also strongly recommend that you read the School Food Plan (www.schoolfoodplan.com): an invaluable source of both inspiration and practical advice.

“As well as explaining the case for universal free school meals in greater depth, it lays out 16 further actions that the Government and others will be taking to help improve the food culture in our schools.

“The Secretary of State and I have also written directly to all primary head teachers about this policy.”