The Big Interview MARK BRAMAH OF APSE
converge with Wales, where support has been rising as result of the Appetite for Life initiative, to 68p.
Meanwhile, uptake in both paid for and free school meals continues to rise in both primary and secondary schools at 49.94% and 42.57% respectively. But there must be a question mark over whether such increases can be sustained as subsidies continue to wither and austerity impacts on family budgets.
Nadine Dereza makes a point
Productivity in school kitchens remains stable, the survey reveals, with the average number of meals served per staff hour ranging between nine and seven across the UK. This is primarily as a result of a much sharper focus on fresh cooked and prepared meals. Where improved standards are achieved there is also a risk that this can translate into perceived lower productivity. But nobody in the industry wants to return to the days of the turkey twizzler when a low cost culture prevailed. However, in the current environment there is still scope for improvements in this area. There have been continued efforts by providers to drive up meal uptake as local authorities look for new ways to reduce meal subsidies. This requires, says APSE in its report, “delicate balance” between maintaining nutritional standards, dealing with price sensitivity, improving productivity and in many cases, making the business case for investment in school environments.
Lynda Mitchell addressing a captive audience
There is also a drive to enrol as many eligible pupils as possible for free school meals in order for schools to qualify for the pupil premium, which is set to rise to £600 for 2012/13 from £430 currently. As a result, the government is anticipating a large increase in numbers for free school meals from 17.4% to 20% and rising. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies the pupil premium is likely to cost £2.5bn by 2014/15.
Mark Bramah dives into the debate
But whether local authorities can maintain current levels of expenditure on school meal provision must remain in doubt. The proposed overall cut in their budgets is unprecedented, say the Joseph Rowntree, amounting to 28% of the overall grant and 14% in terms of overall spending power in cash terms (excluding spending on education, police and fire.) The cuts are front-loaded and allowing for inflation, could in real-terms be nearer to 40% of the overall grant or to 25% in spending power. In this climate, the pace of change is
16 April 2012
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