Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide long-term funding for milk provision schemes which are separate to government-funded breakfast clubs and free school meals.

​​The department works across government on policies to support children's health and nutrition. We know milk is excellent for children’s growth and development. The School Food Standards state lower fat milk or lactose reduced milk must be available to children who want it for drinking, at least once a day during school hours.

​

​The government continues to fund the Department of Health and Social Care-led Nursery Milk Scheme, a statutory scheme which enables eligible early years childcare providers to reclaim the cost of providing 189ml (one-third of a pint) of milk each day to a child under five years who is provided with two hours or more of childcare on that day.

​

​The government also continues to support the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs-led School Milk Subsidy Scheme, which subsidises the provision of individual portions of milk in schools, and has committed to consult on any plans for change.