Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, has joined the School and Nursery Milk Alliance (SNMA) in their campaign to ensure that Brexit doesn’t imperil access to school milk.
Formed in 2011, the SNMA brings together key stakeholders in education, charity and dairy sectors to campaign for the continuation of existing school and nursery schemes, which have been a cornerstone of the education system since 1946. Children over five can currently receive subsidised milk through an EU-funded scheme – which saw the UK receive £3.7m in 2017/18. While the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has made some positive indications about future of the scheme, it has yet to commit to continuing it post-Brexit.
A recent ComRes poll showed that the scheme – and a replacement of it post-Brexit – enjoys widespread support from the British public.
Alex said:
I’m pleased to support the SMNA’s campaign. Not only does evidence demonstrate the positive benefits of milk in helping children achieve a healthy weight and good oral health, but it is clear that the public want to see continued access to subsidised milk for children over-5, after Brexit. It’s vital that the Government commit to funding this important scheme.
