The education contract caterer says maintaining this funding, despite fewer students, would ensure increased funding per child, guaranteeing high-quality meals and safeguarding children’s wellbeing.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) report highlighted ‘significant’ pressures on schools due to declining student numbers. HCL says with 400,000 fewer pupils projected by 2029 and primary school numbers already down by 150,000 since 2019, school funding—tied to per-pupil formulas—is under threat.
John Want, chief executive of HCL, commented: "This report highlights the pressures that falling student numbers are creating for schools. HCL urges the Government to protect lunchtime funding so that total funding remains consistent.
“The economics of school meal provision rely on efficiencies of scale. Core costs like staff and equipment remain largely fixed, regardless of minor fluctuations in pupil numbers. Therefore, a reduction in funding based on per-pupil calculations would disproportionately impact meal quality, as these fixed costs still need to be covered.
“By maintaining current total funding levels for school meals, we can ensure every child receives the essential, high-quality meals vital for their development and learning, allowing any additional funding per child to directly enhance food standards."