Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have raised concerns with her Department regarding a) the adequacy of funding for free school meals and breakfast clubs where pupils have religious dietary requirements b) what the nature of these concerns has been c) and how each concern has been addressed.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The department spends over £1.5 billion annually supporting free school meals provision to around 3.5 million school pupils. Officials meet regularly with the sector to gather feedback.

The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the school food standards to ensure that children are served healthy, nutritious meals. The government is reviewing the standards and will be engaging widely with the sector, including faith groups, throughout this process.

We have confirmed over £30 million of funding for the current 2025/26 financial year and around £80 million for the 2026/27 financial year for free breakfast clubs. From April 2026, mainstream schools will be funded at a new increased rate of £25 a day, plus £1 per pupil per day who attends the club. We continue to learn through our programme evaluation and sector engagement, including with faith groups.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Department has conducted or plans to conduct an equality impact assessment to examine the impact of universal school meal programmes on pupils with religious dietary requirements.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the school food standards to ensure that children are served healthy, nutritious meals at school. The standards do not specify food requirements in terms of cultural and religious needs.

Head teachers, governors and their caterers are best placed to make decisions about their school food policies. We expect schools to act reasonably, providing choices that take account of cultural, religious and special dietary needs, and to work with parents in making appropriate arrangements.

The department aims to revise the school food standards and is engaging with stakeholders to ensure they support the work to create the healthiest generation of children in history. As part of this work, the department will complete a full equalities impact assessment, including the consideration of pupils with religious beliefs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what she held discussions with the Independent Advisor on Ministerial Standards before announcing the investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries.

The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, whether the Financial Conduct Authority be involved in the investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries.

The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what the terms of reference are for the investigation.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries.

The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, what the planned timetable is for the inquiry.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries.

The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 3 December 2025, Official Report, column 991, how much funding her Department plans to provide for the leak inquiry.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

A leak inquiry is now under way and the government does not comment on the details of leak inquiries.

The Independent Adviser for Ministerial Standards has written to the leader of Reform UK and does not intend to investigate this matter.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FCA has written to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and the FCA have not launched an enforcement investigation.