Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools to provide nutritious school meals.

We are committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and we are consulting on proposed updates to the School Food Standards, closing on 12 June. The changes we propose to make are related to increasing fibre, reducing sugar and further restricting foods higher in fat, sugar and salt, in line with the latest nutritional advice set by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

As part of our public consultation, we are asking schools what support they need to comply with updated School Food Standards. With the planned implementation approach, we are giving schools more than two terms’ notice, which will help them prepare effectively.

We are also working with the sector, including caterers and governing bodies, to develop guidance and identify and share best practice. We will also signpost to useful resources available externally.