On a visit to Northwold Primary School in Hackney to mark World School Milk Day, 26 September, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, called on the Government to ensure that the number of children receiving free milk in early years settings is not reduced as a result of the Department of Health consultation.
Her call comes after figures released by the Department of Health in response to a question from Gordon Henderson, Conservative MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, show that the number of milk portions (189ml) reimbursed in the last five years has increased.
According to the figures in 2007-08, more than 206 million milk portions were reimbursed, compared to over 271 million in 2011-12.
In 2008-09, nearly 220 million portions of milk were reimbursed and over 217 million in 2009-10.
Ms Abbott said, ‘The Government needs to understand that if they want to snatch milk away from schools and nurseries, they’ve got a fight on their hands. There is a lot of concern and anger among schools and parents that young British children are being made to pay the cost of this government’s incompetence. It’s clear that David Cameron is using the current review of the Nursery Milk Scheme as window dressing for a cruel cost cutting exercise that reduces the number of children who receive free milk while they are being educated and cared for each day at school.
‘With one in six children going to school hungry, school milk represents a sensible way of providing young children with vital nutrition that can help improve their concentration and performance at school. The Nursery Milk Scheme must remain a policy priority.’
In September, the Government announced plans to extend the nursery milk consultation by six weeks following pressure from Labour, campaign groups and schools.
