Well done, Jamie Oliver

School dinners should be debated in the election. With nearly 3 million meals served every day, it’s a big issue.

We all know the strong links between nutritious eating and health – not to mention sensible eating and good behaviour. Decent school dinners can help improve the nation’s health and improve classroom discipline.

When I had my last school dinner – at The Mount Primary School in New Malden last October - I was impressed by the emphasis on nutrition. The teachers felt strongly that decent hot lunches were vital for improving the children’s classroom performance. And the meal was delicious too!

But we need to do more, here and across Britain.

It is scandalous that some schools spend as little as 37p on a meal, when independent analysis shows a healthy, fresh cooked meal costs nearer 70p.

It is wrong that the Government’s new minimum nutritional standards won’t be brought in till September 2006.

The quality and availability of school dinners may have been in decline for years - with £154 million a year being “saved” on school dinner budgets since 1994 – but that’s no excuse.

In Scotland, with Liberal Democrats in Government, the “Hungry for Success” programme now has everything from chilled water to vending machines with healthy food.

So as we debate tax and spending cuts, let’s also remember Jamie Oliver’s lessons.