Schools: Food Nutrition Standards

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Mawhinney

Thursday 11th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I think I can agree that were it to be introduced, it would not be mandatory.

[Lord Mawhinney (Con)]

My Lords, in his first response my noble friend talked about new guidelines coming in last year that reduced the amounts of fat, salt and sugar in school diets. Could he tell the House what percentage reductions occurred in each of those three categories?

[Lord Nash]

I cannot. I am happy to write to the noble Lord, but I believe that the amount of sugar cannot be more than 5%. I will write with details.

Schools: Substance Abuse Education

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Mawhinney

Monday 2nd February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

My noble friend makes a very good point. Attendance at school is, as I say, at an all-time high. However, this is one of the focuses of the troubled families programme, which has been so successful.

[Lord Mawhinney (Con)]

My Lords, bearing in mind my noble friend’s original Answer, does he have any concern that talking about “recreational drugs” might have the effect of undermining the Government’s very strong desire to deal with substance abuse?

[Lord Nash]

I agree with my noble friend—it is very unfortunate terminology—but I do not think that our determination is any different.