Prue Leith calls for school lunchbox ban amid free meal expansion

Dame Prue Leith, a former judge on The Great British Bake Off, has called for packed lunches to be banned in schools, arguing that parents should be required to use free, compulsory school meals for all children. The chef and restaurateur said the contents of lunchboxes cannot be properly policed and that parents often give in to children's demands for unhealthy items like chocolate bars. Her remarks come as England prepares for a significant expansion of free school meals.

Starting in September 2026, all primary school pupils in England from families receiving universal credit will become eligible for free school meals. This change is part of a broader government overhaul of school food standards, the first update since 2014, aimed at tackling childhood obesity and poor dental health. The new rules are designed to increase fibre intake and ensure more fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains are offered.

Leith described the upcoming changes as a potential "revolution in school dinners" and expressed optimism that the government is finally taking school food seriously. However, she stated that the system should go further by making school meals compulsory and eliminating the option of...