§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the funding for the national food in schools programme has been allocated; and if she will make a statement. [20501]
§ Yvette CooperI have been asked to reply.
The majority of funding for the food in schools programme has not yet been allocated. We are working with the Department for Education and Skills to develop proposals that cover the breadth of opportunities for food in schools. The programme will aim to bring together all food related initiatives in schools and after-school clubs to improve both health and learning, and ensure consistent information is given about health and nutrition. Following an advisory forum meeting in the summer, proposals are being put together into a series of pilot schemes that can be tested throughout the country. This includes assessing existing initiatives as well as new ones to ensure that the programme builds on and supports existing work in schools by a number of organisations.