School Breakfast Provision

2021-03-01

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer

South Shields

▸ Context

The question arises from the need for adequate school breakfast provisions in disadvantaged areas. The current programme covers only a small percentage of eligible schools and is set to end soon.

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of school breakfast provision throughout England? Pre-pandemic, up to 2 million children started their day without breakfast. My School Breakfast Bill would extend and scale up provision via funds from the soft drinks levy.

Vicky Ford

We are investing up to £38 million in the national school breakfast programme, which provides meals in 2,450 disadvantaged schools. The programme extends until July this year, and we are considering options for provision beyond that date. We expect to provide more details soon.

▸ Assessment & feedback

The questioner asked specifically about implementing her bill through the Chancellor's budget, which was not addressed.

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Q2 Partial Answer

Emma Lewell Lab

South Shields

▸ Context

The current school breakfast programme covers only a small percentage of eligible schools and is set to end soon. The questioner wants to extend and scale up the provision.

I thank the Minister for her response, but unfortunately the Government's current school breakfast programme only provides for 7% of schools that meet the Government's deprivation criteria, and it ends in July. Pre-pandemic, up to 2 million children were starting their school day without a breakfast. My School Breakfast Bill would extend and scale up provision via funds from the soft drinks levy. Please can she ask the Chancellor to implement my Bill and get breakfast into the Budget?

Vicky Ford

We have extended our programme until July this year and are considering options for provision beyond that date. We are engaging with the market to help develop those options, and we expect to be able to say more very soon.