Rising food costs blamed as Nottinghamshire Council puts up the price for school meals

The price charged by the Conservative-controlled council to schools for a meal will increase 15.6 per cent from October 16, from £2.55 to £2.95.

Coun John Cottee, council cabinet member for communities, explaining the decision, said: “Rising inflation has a big impact on us all and we know it’s been a tough time for local families.”

Inflation currently stands at 6.8 per cent.

Coun Cottee said: “High food and staff costs have caused major financial pressures for our catering service team, which we have taken into account when reviewing our school meal prices.

“Unfortunately, we have little option but to propose a moderate increase for schools.”

Coun Tracey Taylor, cabinet member for children and families, said: “While this is not a decision that we have taken lightly, the increase compares favourably with other providers and we continue to contribute towards the overall costs of providing the meals.

“The new price still represents very good value for these high quality, nutritionally balanced meals that we provide to schools for the children.

“We have contacted all of the schools we provide meals to since the beginning of the new term, this includes emails and letters, as well as speaking to the majority of schools via phone to ensure they are aware of these changes and can pass on this information to parents and guardians where relevant.”

The increase, however, has been slammed by opposition Independent Alliance at County Hall.

Coun Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), Independent Alliance leader, who represents one of the poorest areas of Nottinghamshire, said: “It is disgraceful and comes just a day after Lee Anderson and Ben Bradley were pictured tucking into free food and drink at an event in Ashfield.

"It’s rubbing resident’s noses in it.

"We will be opposing this rise at County Hall.

"It just goes to show how out of touch the Tories are.

"Ashfield MP Lee Anderson famously said in the Commons that meals could be cooked from scratch ‘for about 30 pence a day’ – that’s 10p less than the total rise.”