Central and local government need to work together to build a healthier and fairer society.
So, I am pleased to see that my Lib Dem colleague Munira Wilson MP is pushing ahead in Parliament to amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
This would extend free school meals to the 900,000 children in poverty up to the age of 18 who are currently excluded.
It’s disappointing to see the Labour Government is not taking this opportunity to ensure that no child goes hungry. All the evidence shows it helps them to concentrate and learn.
This is more than just making sure they can do well throughout the school day – important though that is! Making sure all kids can have a decent diet is also about the broader public health agenda, which affects the wider community.
“Evidence shows that free school meals help children concentrate and learn”
By the time you get the February edition of first, we will know what public health funding will be for local authorities so we can help tackle some of the root causes of bad health, no matter your age.
Could it include reversing the cuts made by the Conservative Government’s emergency budget in the summer of 2015?
This could include funding for schemes to encourage smoking cessation or supporting exercise classes.
We must keep pushing for a healthier and fairer society. Government – both local and national – has a key role to play.