AN increase in the price of a school meal has been agreed by Hampshire County Council, to come into effect from April 1.

The new price will be £2.15, up five pence.

The executive member for children’s services, Keith Mans said: “We’re very proud of the high standard of school meals that our catering service provides - using locally sourced produce.

“A healthy lunch at school contributes significantly to a child’s wellbeing and their capacity to learn, through to the end of the school day.”

“I am keen school meals remain affordable but we must balance this against the increasing cost of providing those meals, including higher charges for ingredients. It is my view the proposal to raise the cost of each meal by small increments, over time, will avoid sudden, dramatic price hikes further down the line, and ensure the price rise is manageable.”

More than 70,000 school meals are served in Hampshire’s primary and secondary schools, across the county daily.