North Yorkshire County Council freezes school meal price

Although the county council is facing severe financial challenges, the price of meals will be frozen at £2.10 a day. This means prices have increased by only 5% in the last three years, despite high food inflation. However the sibling discount scheme - introduced to help families with more than one child at school - will cease at the end of this term. County Councillor Arthur Barker, executive member for schools, said: "We are only too aware of the financial pressures families are under and, despite the county council's economic challenges which require millions of pounds worth of savings to be found, members are determined that school meals should be affordable and offer good value for money, so that all children have the opportunity to have a nutritious meal in the middle of the day. "Good nutrition is essential to children's health and well-being and their ability to make the most of their learning. We are proud of our drive to deliver high-quality meals to North Yorkshire's children, which is why, despite the freeze on the price of a meal, we continue to drive quality upwards and improve the standards of the produce used."