This means that the majority of children in schools which supply milk still have no chance to benefit from the subsidy. In the UK one child in every three goes to school without breakfast. Hungry children can be lethargic or disruptive. Local authorities are empowered to provide breakfast programmes and free milk for children from Income Support families. This provision is discretionary.
Discretion usually means lack of provision.
If a local authority has failed in the past to supply a claims service to provide subsidised playtime milk there is now little or no excuse as agencies are available to carry out this work on their behalf. If head-teachers are reluctant to introduce milk because of lack of refrigeration or perceived difficulties about cash collection then agencies are a definite option to be considered as they all provide a service designed to address these issues. To be following the government s stated desire for Best Practice Policies all LEAs should surely be desirous of ensuring all local schools provide playtime milk. This figure provides the maximum amount which could be claimed. BUT subsidy can only be claimed on the actual amount supplied up to the maximum figure.