Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional support, funding, and guidance they intend to provide to schools to (1) limit the availability of sugar products in schools, and (2) become sugar-free.

This government wants pupils to be healthy and well nourished. We encourage a healthy balanced diet and healthy life choices through school funding, legislation and guidance. The attached School Food Standards provide the legislative framework to ensure schools provide children with healthy food and drink options.

On 18 August 2016, the government published its plan for action (attached) to significantly reduce childhood obesity by supporting healthier choices.

One of the commitments in the plan was to update the School Food Standards. The School Food Standards regulate the food and drink provided at both lunchtime and at other times of the school day, including, for example, breakfast clubs, tuck shops, mid-morning break, vending machines and after school clubs. The standards severely restrict foods high in fat, salt and sugar, as well as low quality reformed or reconstituted foods. They ensure that pupils always have healthy options for their school lunch.

We are working with Public Health England to update the regulations. This will focus on reducing sugar consumption and will be supported by detailed guidance to caterers and schools. More detail will follow shortly.