Free meals for Infants: Kitchen Crisis

From 1 September 2014 all primary and infant schools will provide free meals for pupils at Key Stage 1, i.e. those in the reception, year 1 and year 2 classes.   However, the government has come up short in ensuring that they are fully equipped to do so.  A number of schools are bereft of sufficient cooking facilities.   Over 2,700 schools in England will need to upgrade their kitchens if the provision of free meals for these youngsters is to take effect.  Altogether, 1,700 schools have no kitchens at all.    The government’s advisers had estimated that £150 million would be needed for this purpose.  The finance provided is inadequate and it is likely that some schools will have to find resources within their budgets.