News story

22nd March 2005

Local MP Backs Jamie Oliver Campaign

Northavon MP Steve Webb has given his backing to an all-party House of Commons motion to press for better quality school meals. The motion has been inspired by the Jamie Oliver TV series which has highlighted the very poor nutritional value both of many school meals and also of many packed lunches.

The motion calls for urgent Government action to ensure that more money is available to be spent on the ingredients for school lunches, that unhealthy options are removed, and that much greater use is made of fresh and locally produced ingredients.

Steve Webb said:

"Anyone who watched Jamie Oliver's programme cannot fail to have been struck by the poor quality of what some schools are serving and there needs to be a nationwide drive to raise standards.

"It is good to know that South Gloucestershire have led the way in encouraging the use of local and fresh produce, but there is still much more to be done, including education parents and children alike of the value of more nutritious options.

"I hope that the political momentum that is growing behind this issue will force the Government into taking some serious action to ensure that our schoolchildren are properly fed".

The MP said that he would also be writing to the Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly, to ask her to take this agenda seriously as her predecessor, Charles Clarke had promised to do.