Pre-school Education: Free School Meals

(asked on 19th February 2019) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to assess the effect of the universal free infant school meals policy on (a) school standards and (b) pupils' wellbeing since its introduction in 2014.


Answered by
Nadhim Zahawi Portrait
Nadhim Zahawi
This question was answered on 26th February 2019

We spend around £600 million every year ensuring 1.5 million infants in reception, year 1 and year 2 receive a free, nutritious meal at lunchtime. This ensures pupils are well nourished, develop healthy eating habits and can concentrate and learn.

We know that a balanced and nutritious meal, which includes vegetables and fruit, is good for the health and well-being of children. By showing that more children are eating a school meal we are confident that our universal infant free school meal (UIFSM) policy is having a positive impact on children. We expect UIFSMs to bring longer term benefits for children’s health by instilling early in life healthy eating habits which will be carried forward into later years.

Shared mealtimes are great for learning to talk, behave, take turns, be polite and share. Schools trialling free school meals in advance of the policy being introduced reported better behaviour and a nicer atmosphere as a result of pupils eating together every day.

Since 2010 we’ve been reforming education and driving up school standards. 1.9 million more children are now being taught in good and outstanding schools than were in 2010, thanks in part to our reforms.

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