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Written question asked by Chris Coghlan (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 June 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Friday, 3 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

School Milk

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered the potential merits of extending free school milk entitlement to children in reception.

Answer

The Nursery Milk Scheme is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day. Schools can claim reimbursement from the scheme in respect of their pupils aged under five years old.

The School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. The Government is expanding eligibility of free school meals meaning that more children are able to access milk as part of their free meals.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
12978
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Eligibility School milk
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk