School meal action too little too late

3.06.04pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Mar 2005

Bath's MP, Don Foster, has warmly welcomed the recent focus on school meals, but has slammed Labour pre-election "mini manifesto" for children as being too little too late.

"Worried parents and campaigners have been highlighting the need for healthier school meals and a crackdown on junk food advertising for years, but these calls have been falling on the deaf ears of Government Ministers.

"It has taken Jamie Oliver's high profile TV series and stinging criticism to force the government into action, which may be little more than a cheap pre-election stunt.

"While I welcome the new pledges of cash for kitchens, equipment and staff training, and a School Meals Trust to improve nutrition, these changes do not guarantee that food cooked with better quality ingredients will be put on our children's plates.

"For eight years under the Prime Minister's stewardship, our nation's children have been eating the most appalling food, with low nutritional standards. Some of our poorest children are being fed stuff which, quite frankly, a lot of people wouldn't even put in their garbage can.

"But in B&NES, we've been trying to address the issue for some time, with the council taking an active interest in the well-being of our children."

Lib Dem councillor, Andrew Furse, Chairman of the Education, Youth, Culture & Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee in B&NES, added:

"It is essential that healthy eating for children starts from a young age. That is why the council is carrying out a Primary School Meals Review, with a focus on good quality, local ingredients, and we welcome feedback from parents and staff.

"It is a shame that, nationally, the change to improve how our children are fed at school can only come with the Government jumping on the Jamie Oliver band-wagon."