Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of the 50% Buying British ambition on school caterers.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have met to discuss a range of issues and projects.

The government is committed to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards, supporting local suppliers, and upholding ethical sourcing practices across public sector contracts. The department is considering the policy options available to deliver these aims. Any future policies will be informed by the review of the provenance of food sourced by the public sector, announced recently. Schools and caterers can additionally voluntarily follow the government buying standards.