HAMPSHIRE County Council has made the decision to increase the cost of school meals by 20p per day from June 5.

The decision has been made in the face of rising costs of ingredients and continued underfunding from the central government, and to avoid losses by the authority’s school meal provider HC3S.

The increase will affect a high number of Hampshire’s 426 primary schools, as well as 20 secondary schools and 23 special schools use HC3S to provide their school catering, as well as parents and carers who pay for school meals.

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While schools are funded by the Government to provide Universal Infant Free School Meals for Key Stage 1 pupils (those in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2), the funding does not cover the full associated costs. This is also the same for the provision of benefits-related free school meals for eligible older pupils.

Schools are therefore having to cover the cost from their wider funding, placing extra pressure on overall budgets.

Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Steve Forster said: “Increasing the price of school meals was a very difficult decision as we are acutely aware of the cost of living pressures that continue to face households, and especially so soon after the last increase in October. However, this decision has been unavoidable due to escalating food costs and the anticipated impact of the latest national pay proposal. Government funding has simply not kept pace with these inflationary pressures.

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“We know that families and schools alike are facing rising costs across the board. From our latest round of Household Support Funding - the scheme which aims to support low-income families and individuals struggling with the cost of food and fuel - we plan to provide funds to schools so they can offer grants at their own discretion to families most in need.

“We will continue to offer programmes of support to help those struggling with the ongoing rise in the cost of living. These include community pantries, community grants and the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.”

Later this month, the county council will put forwards its latest set of proposed initiatives to be funded from the new Household Support Fund. This will include the funding available for schools, colleges and early years settings to provide direct food or fuel support for families in need.