School meal cuts `harm 2m'

Children are suffering malnutrition because of the Government's decision to cut free and cheap school meals and milk, a report will say tomorrow. The School Milk Association says the policy has resulted in ill-health and stunted growth in up to two million children.

The report, covering 179 local authorities and 36 health authorities, condemns as socially divisive the introduction of "luncheon-meat sandwiches, a carton of squash, biscuit and satsuma" instead of free hot meals for deprived youngsters.