UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today backing moves by the founders of the Leon restaurant chain to boost school meals to improve children’s health, wellbeing and their educational attainment.
The union, which represents school meals workers and had a seat on the expert panel for the review, welcomed the focus on school meals workers as an important part of the plan. The review outlines that moves must be made to boost the training, status and morale of school meals workers to help them deliver a top quality service.
The union is calling on the government to step up to the plate and put money on the table to provide free school meals in all primaries as recommended by the review.
Christine Lewis, UNISON national officer, said:
“Making sure children eat healthy, nutritious food is vital to giving them the best start in life and making sure they reach their full potential at school. Our members working in schools regularly report that children come to school hungry and it gets in the way of their schoolwork. Free breakfast clubs and good value, healthy lunches will help kids to concentrate and get the most out of their lessons.
“We particularly welcome the recommendation that school meals workers are given better training, improved status, and that efforts are made to boost their morale. Our members are vital to making sure children have access to healthy food, and that they eat it.”
UNISON has a seat on the panel and workforce sub-group which will continue to meet.
