Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of school compliance with school food standards to provide milk for pupils entitled to free school meals.

Under the School Food Standards, schools must ensure milk is available to all pupils who want it during school hours. Section 512ZB (3) of the Education Act 1996 sets out the requirement that milk must be provided free of charge to pupils eligible for free school meals.

Compliance with the School Food Standards is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools. Governors have a responsibility to ensure compliance and should appropriately challenge the headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the school is meeting its obligations.