Free School Meals

Baroness Barran Excerpts
Tuesday 16th December 2025

(1 day, 9 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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My Lords, in addition to worrying about how to fund free school meals, the Minister will be aware that there are concerns emerging about the funding of future teacher pay awards following the Treasury’s statement that there would be no additional funding for public sector pay awards outside departmental budgets. Can she reassure schools that the 6.5% recommended increase over three years which the department made to the STRB can be met through their budgets?

Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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We have been clear with schools about the 10% increase in teacher pay that we have delivered since we came into government. Additional funding has been provided but, of that, we will support schools to find approximately 1% through efficiencies. I am sure that the noble Baroness supports the focus on efficiencies, even if she does not support the additional investment that this Government have been able to find.