"Children across the UK are shorter, fatter and sicker amid an epidemic of poor diets, food insecurity and poverty" a recent report revealed and the Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme isn't doing enough to help. Caterers are operating at a loss and children are not getting healthy, well balanced meals.

Recently, my daughter's school informed parents that their current meal provider had terminated their contract, leaving them with very limited options. The only alternative provider they could find offered only sandwiches and yogurts, with no hot meal options. This lack of variety and nutritional balance is unacceptable for growing children.

The government's funding for school meals stands at a mere £2.41 per meal, with a meager 7% increase last year. This amount falls far short of covering the rising costs of food. It is no wonder that it is hard to find caterers. Schools are expected to subsidize the cost difference from their own budgets (which parents are also asked to contribute to). This undermines the very purpose of a "free" school meal scheme, as it places an undue financial burden on schools and families.

The government must reform school meal funding to account for inflation and ensure that the scheme genuinely provides children with healthy and substantial meals, and that caterers providing the food aren't operating at a loss.