MINISTERS are “actively looking” at the funding for free school meals for the youngest pupils after the Winchester MP warned of a growing gap between the money provided and the cost of food.

The MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, Steve Brine, was alerted to the issue by infant school headteachers in his constituency.

Opening the debate in Westminster on Tuesday, April 25, Mr Brine, said: “I want to focus on the pressure being felt by headteachers across my constituency and I’m sure elsewhere, when it comes to meeting the cost of what is supposed to be a universal entitlement to free school meals for infant age children.

“There is a gap between the funding received and the costs of putting good quality food on the table. The inevitable impact of this falls on school budgets which are making up the shortfall.”

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UK wholesalers have recently shared with the MP how food inflation, rising energy bills and increased labour costs are causing them to work at a loss in order to fulfil their public sector food contracts.

Although, Mr Brine welcomed the government’s recent decision to increase the funding rate for infantfree school meals by 7p per pupil he said that this is far being the rise in food inflation.

A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the costings of free school meals found that the price per meal found that if funding had been increased in line with inflation since 2014 the amount would be £2.87, 46p more than what is currently given.

The MP shared figures from Winchester schools, including one which had an £11,000 deficit on school meals during the last year. 

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He continued: "We know the provision of good quality food is key to pupils’ wellbeing and ensuring they are able to fully engage in their teaching and learning.

"I hope the minister recognises there is an issue here. We have to ensure that the provision of a good quality meal does not need to be subsidised from funds intended to support core education."

In response, schools minister Nick Gibb MP said the Government was "actively looking at" the issue and promised to work with Steve and other MPs to ensure the problem is not forgotten.

The Winchester MP said he will now raise the issue with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt so to secure treasury commitment