Release of the new nutritional standards for school meals delayed

New nutritional standards for school meals will not be released until later this month, owing to the current political situation, according to industry sources.

The announcement, which was expected from the Government on 8 May, has been pushed back following Labour's poor showing in the local government elections (yesterday) and the change at the top of the Department for Education and Skills.

Kevin MacKay, chairman of the Local Authority Caterers Association, said he heard the news yesterday. "I understand the decision has now been delayed until later in May," he said.

His view was supported by a senior source at a major contract caterer in the education market.

"The Labour Party wants to put some distance between itself and the recent bad publicity during the local elections. Plus Ruth Kelly has now left the education department, which means it is a very fluid situation at the moment," he said.

MacKay said another hold-up was bad news for the sector. "It's very late in the day as it is. Caterers and contractors need to know where they stand as soon as possible," he said.

A spokeswoman for the School Food Trust said it had not yet been told by the Government when the decision was expected but that it was "fully geared up for what needs to be done".

The Department for Education and Skills denied there had been a delay. "A decision is expected very shortly, but we are the ones who set the date and it was never going to be 8 May," a spokesman said.

Ruth Kelly has been moved into the role of local government minister in today's (5 May) reshuffle, while former trade secretary Alan Johnson takes up her vacated position at the Department for Education and Skills.

By Tom Bill

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