World School Milk Day 2023 - polling finds that 4 out of 5 Brits think it is important for children to have free milk in schools

Ahead of World School Milk Day 2023, a recent UK survey reveals that an overwhelming 4 out of 5 adults (79%) believe it's important for children in schools and nurseries to have access to free or subsidised milk. This sentiment aligns with a resounding 88% of 2019 Labour voters who also think the government should make provision for free or subsidised milk in schools and nurseries. The School and Nursery Milk Alliance (SNMA) https://www.snma.org.uk/milk commissioned the YouGov survey of which 2,156 adults in the UK recently completed the online poll to help understand public opinion on the importance of the provision of free school milk

Notably, the enthusiasm for milk in schools spans the UK, with 89% of Welsh respondents favouring continued government support for free or subsidised milk. Wales sets itself apart by offering free healthy milk to all Key Stage One children, rather than just subsidising it. Furthermore, England leads the UK in school milk provision this year, with an average of 116 servings per pupil, according to SNMA's annual league table. Last year’s winner, Wales came second with 73 servings of milk per pupil per year.

Despite these positive findings, some children continue to miss out on the benefits of free or subsidised milk due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, educational institutions are encouraged to participate in government programs like the Nursery Milk Scheme,  and the School Milk Subsidy Scheme , which provide free or subsidised milk to eligible children. These programs not only promote children's health but also support cognitive development and have a positive effect on preventing childhood obesity. The call is now for broader awareness and participation to ensure that all children across the UK can access nutritious milk at school or nursery.

World School Milk Day 2023 (27^th September 2023) is the perfect opportunity for the Government to promote the different schemes that are available to schools and nurseries in the UK and ensure millions of children have access to free or subsidised milk.