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Written question asked by Sureena Brackenridge (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Olivia Bailey (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

School Meals: Nutrition

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the role of nutritious school food in reducing health inequalities in constituencies with high levels of child poverty and childhood excess weight, including Wolverhampton North East.

Answer

The department recognises that access to nutritious school food plays an important role in supporting children’s health and breaking down barriers to opportunity. The School Food Standards set the mandatory nutritional framework for food and drink in state‑funded schools, ensuring pupils receive the energy and nutrients they need while developing healthy eating habits. This is why we are taking action to update the Standards and are consulting on the changes to ensure they better reflect current nutritional guidance. Nutritious school food, alongside education on healthy eating, supports wider efforts to improve health outcomes.

The consultation is available at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/school-food-policy-team/school-food-standards-updating-the-leg-framework/.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3512
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Disadvantaged Health Nutrition School meals
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk