Ministers are “actively looking” at the funding for free school meals for the youngest pupils, after being warned of a growing gap between the money and the price tag for the food.
Education minister Nick Gibb said he was considering the rate of funding for universal infant free school meals, after hearing reports of how food inflation has hit suppliers and schools alike.
All children in England in reception class, year 1 and year 2 are eligible for free school meals regardless of their household income.
But Conservative former minister Steve Brine raised the alarm about the funding gap in a Westminster Hall debate, after being contacted by several schools in his Winchester constituency.
He told MPs: “Put simply, there is a gap between the funding received and the cost of putting good-quality food on the school table.
