Free school milk scheme could end after 50 years

Generations of Welsh children have enjoyed free school milk - but the scheme could end next year.

It was in 1977 that the current School Milk Subsidy Scheme (SMSS) was launched, covering youngsters aged four to 11.

The UK government agency that administers it will no longer do so from next year, meaning the Welsh government is looking at two options - creating a new grant-funded model or discontinuing it.

However, it said children would still be able to get milk through breakfast schemes and free lunches.

Parents expressed concern about the effect on struggling families, while the National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru said an end to the scheme would be "extremely disappointing".

"We should be encouraging children to understand and value the food produced in Wales, not removing opportunities for them to experience it," said NFU Cymru president Abi Reader.

"Education about where our food comes from, how it is produced and the role farmers play in putting food on our tables is important from a young age."

Free school milk dates back to the early part of the 20th century, and there have been a number of schemes delivering it in various forms over the years.

The Nursery Milk scheme, which allowed children to receive 189ml or a third of a pint of milk free each day dates back to the Labour government of 1946.

Future Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was called "milk snatcher" in 1971 when, as health secretary, she decided to cut the provision for over-sevens.

In reference to this and the Welsh government's proposals, Reform UK's deputy leader in the Senedd Laura Anne Jones called Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llŷr Gruffydd "Llŷr Dim Llaeth" (Llŷr no milk).

The current SMSS has been the mechanism for providing free milk to schools in Wales since 1977.

In 2001, there was a reduction in EU subsidy for it, with the UK and devolved administrations introducing a national top-up, and this was run through the School Milk (Wales) Regulations 2008.

After the UK exited the EU following the 2016 referendum, the scheme was retained.

In Wales, participating schools can provide free milk to full-time pupils in reception class to year two, and subsidised milk to those in years three to six.

This scheme has been administered through the UK government's Rural Payments Agency.

It is no longer able to do this from next April, meaning the Welsh government is looking at two options.

These are bringing in a grant-funded model to provide it, or discontinuing it as children are able to access milk through free school meals schemes or breakfast provision.

Nicole Williams, a parent to three children who receive free or subsidised milk, called for it to be continued.

She added: "There's lots of children out there from struggling families, that are on Universal Credit, not getting enough help as it is.

"These children do sometimes rely on that school milk to get calcium.

That's very, very important for growth and progression."

She said that her son JJ, nine, currently has milk each day at The Hollies School in Pentwyn, Cardiff, a special school for pupils aged four to eleven with autism spectrum conditions.

Parents Carol and Alex Crawford said their son Marshall, four, loves having milk at break-time at his nursery in Fairwater, Cardiff.

Alex believes the Welsh government should continue the scheme, saying: "I think it will benefit parents as well, because of the cost of living.

"You go into Tesco every day and milk's just going up all the time. It's just so expensive."

Carol agrees, and remembers her daughters, now aged 15 and 21, having free milk in school every day.

"I think they should continue it, all kids like milk," she added.

NFU Cymru president Abi Reader is a third generation dairy farmer, and said: "We have a responsibility to give the next generation the best possible start and to lead by example."

She believes getting Welsh milk into schools provides an opportunity to introduce children to the value of healthy eating and local produce.

She said it is difficult to estimate how many Welsh dairy farmers contribute to the supply of school milk, but it could be sourced from right across Wales.

Despite considering the two options, the Welsh government said children "would continue to have opportunities to access milk through existing school breakfast and lunch provision, although access would depend on participation in those services".

It acknowledged that discontinuing it may have a negative impact on rural businesses and communities within the dairy industry.

However, it said that the scale of the impact is uncertain and is dependent on the extent to which schools and local authorities provide milk through existing school food schemes and how much Welsh dairies rely on revenue from the scheme.

Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan said: "Milk has long played a part in supporting the health and well-being of our youngest learners."

She said she wants to ensure any decisions about the future of the school milk scheme are based on the "fullest possible evidence" and so would encourage "everyone with a view on this issue to take part in the consultation".

The Welsh government consultation was launched on 26 October and will last for 10 weeks.