Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) tackle obesity and (b) encourage healthy eating in schools.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

We are committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and the department encourages schools to have a whole school approach to healthy eating. The national curriculum sets the expectation that pupils are taught about the importance of healthy eating and nutrition.

We encourage all schools to provide healthy, tasty and nutritious food and drink. Governing boards have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the school food standards. In November 2024, the department, along with the National Governance Association, launched online training on school food to support governors and trustees with this duty.

We will break down barriers to physical education (PE) and school sport, ensuring all children can achieve and thrive through increased physical activity. The PE curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods and lead healthy and active lives.