More backing for Jamie’s school dinners campaign

Two more teaching unions have given their backing to Jamie Oliver’s campaign to ban junk food in schools.

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) and the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN) have joined MPs and the 50,000 plus signatures already on the petition.

PAT/PANN general secretary Jean Gemmell said: “A good diet and good health go hand in hand. We welcome initiatives such as this one to promote healthy eating. Schools can play an important part in encouraging pupils to eat more healthily.

“We would welcome getting parents more involved by giving them a say on school meals. However, the promotion of healthy eating has to start in the home, with encouragement from the Government through the media. Children eat a lot more meals at home and elsewhere than they do at school.”