Subsidised Milk

Did you know that you may be eligible to get subsidised, or even free milk for your children / pupils?

- See our partner website for more information.

Milk for Children on the Isle of Wight

UK Welfare milk for under 5's
Under a UK Government scheme free milk is available for all children under the age of five years if they are in at least 2 hours of child care per day. There is a very high take up of free milk for under 5's in primary schools. The 4 LEA nursery schools/playgroups provide free milk and there is a very high take up. It is not known how many private nursery schools/playgroups provide free milk. Some childminders claim the free milk subsidy, but others find it difficult to claim and do not consider it worth the trouble

EU Subsidised milk
Under an EU scheme children from their 5th birthday to their 11th birthday are eligible to receive 250mls of subsidised milk. Pabulum sell subsidised milk at 18pence per third pint in a carton in primary schools. This includes deducting the EU subsidy. There is a further UK subsidy of three and a half pence to cover the cost of administration which is retained by IW Council. Some primary schools have realised this is expensive and buy milk for their children in poly bottles. There are approx. 8,400 children from 5 to 11 years old on the Island. Approx. £100,000 is available in subsidy. The actual subsidy claimed by IW Council is just over £7,000, due to the poor take up of the scheme.

Middle Schools
No child in middle school is offered subsidised milk, but Pabulum sell third pint cartons in Middle schools for 35 pence.

Free Welfare Milk
Children from families on Social Security benefit or Jobseekers Allowance are eligible for free milk at the discretion of the Local Authority. IW Council does not implement this scheme unless there are medical reasons.

Conclusion
The milk being drunk by our children is expensive at between 54 pence and £1.05 per pint. The third pint cartons come from Chadwell Heath in Essex. The food miles involved in supplying milk to our children are excessive and irresponsible. It would make a considerable difference to the health of our children, particularly dental health, if milk drinking was encouraged. It would also positively contribute to the Council and Health bodies public service targets around health and educational attainment under the 'Every Child Matters' agenda.

Judi Griffin 21-9-05