NOT enough children in Merseyside and Cheshire are eating school meals, the Government said yesterday, despite higher take-up rates than in the rest of England.
Almost all education authorities are falling short of targets designed to keep pupils away from the temptations of chip shops and burger bars.
The news will revive claims the campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver, forcing schools to serve healthier meals and banning the likes of “turkey twizzlers”, has backfired.
But schools minister Diana Johnson insisted the number of pupils opting for a school meal was on the rise, albeit very slowly.
Yesterday’s figures were the first time the Government has published a comprehensive comparison of the popularity of school meals in different areas of the country.
This summer’s target was for 52.3% of primary pupils to be eating a hot lunchtime meal and 52.7% at secondary level – in each case, a 10% rise on three years earlier.
But the statistics show only Liverpool Council – by boasting a take-up rate of 64.2% at secondary level – exceeds either of those benchmarks.
Despite the popularity of school meals among older pupils, the city had the worst record in the region among primary pupils – just 38.6%.
The highest proportions eating in at primary level were in Cheshire (46.9%), Knowsley (44.9%), Halton (43.9%) and Warrington (43.1%).
At secondary level, Lancashire (30.9%) and Knowsley (37%) scored lowest, while St Helens and Halton (both 46.9%) had the best records after Liverpool.
All authorities in Merseyside and Cheshire had higher take-ups than the averages across England, which were 39.3% at primary level and 35.1% at secondary.
But it is inevitable more families will opt for a school meal in poorer areas, where a higher proportion can claim them free of charge.
Ms Johnson said: “Many schools have provided great examples of how to entice children into the canteen, by refurbishing kitchens, making dining areas more inviting and even starting cooking clubs.
“With this new data, we can pinpoint areas where take-up is low and work with most authorities to help them get more children eating healthy school lunches.”
But David Laws, the Liberal Democrat schools spokesman, said the missed target meant the government was falling short of its goals by more than 1m children.
He added: “There are a number of reasons, including the rushed introduction of new food standards, before the groundwork had been done to ensure children will eat the new healthier option.”
In September, three areas of England – but none of them in Merseyside or Cheshire – will launch a trial giving every primary pupil a free school meal in a bid to improve their concentration and learning.
