We have signed an open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for wider access to Free School Meals for primary school pupils in England.
Providing Free School Meals for all children is vital to help prevent type 2 diabetes and to tackle health inequalities. The rates of children obesity and the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are climbing.
This month, primary school children across London will be benefitting from the Mayor of London’s commitment to continue providing Free School Meals for the capital’s primary school children for another year.
Every child deserves a hot and nutritious meal to get the best chance to live a long and healthy life. That’s why we want to see the rollout of Free School Meals for all children attending state-funded primary schools in England.
Along with 300 society organisations, politicians and public figures, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and Child Poverty Action Group, we have signed a letter written by the National Education Union (NEU) - which represents half a million teachers and education professionals in the UK – that stresses the urgent need for Free School Meals to be adopted nationwide.
Why are we calling for Free School Meals?
Universal free school meals are vital in reducing health inequalities, and preventing obesity in children.
A recent study found that providing school lunches on a universal basis reduces the prevalence of obesity by more than other interventions such as nutrition education or exercise schemes like The Daily Mile.
Making sure that every primary school aged child has the chance to eat a hot and nutritious meal, no matter their background, means every child will get the start in life they deserve to be able to live a healthy life.
The Universalism Multiplier report, compiled by the Child Poverty Action Group and National Education Union, highlights that access to Free School Meals results in:
- Increased financial and psychological security for families
- Improved nutrition and school engagement and attendance for pupils
- A reduction in stigma and social exclusion as a result of a universal policy
- Improved home/school relationships
- Changed eating habits for pupils which extend to the home
- A richer educational experience for children from different backgrounds.
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said:
“We support free access for all to nutritious meals at school. No child should go hungry, and it’s essential that government takes the initiative to make it as easy as possible for children to grow up with everything they need to live a healthy life.
“Childhood obesity rates are rising and, shockingly, so is the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Long-standing health inequalities are being made worse by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and this lack of access to nutritious, healthy food risks causing irreversible harm to the health of a generation of young people.
“Action taken now would help prevent young people from developing type 2 diabetes and, with budgets already under pressure, reduce costs to the NHS in future.”
The letter will be presented to the health secretary on 10 September 2024 as part of NEU’s No Child Left Behind campaign, which calls on the government to ensure every child has the basics to learn, thrive and go on to a bright future.
