The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on the provision of free milk in schools.

Currently the School Milk Subsidy Scheme provides free milk to learners in Reception to Year 2 and subsidised milk to learners in Years 3 to 6.

The scheme is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of Welsh Government. However, the RPA will stop providing the scheme to Wales after 31 March 2027.

The consultation is looking for views on the future of the School Milk Subsidy Scheme and whether a new Welsh school milk scheme should be established to continue the free the scheme from April 2027 or if free school milk provision should be discontinued.

Regardless of the outcome, milk will remain available to primary age children through breakfast clubs and at lunchtime via the Universal Primary Free School Meals offer.

The consultation will run for 10 weeks.
 

The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan said: "Milk has long played a part in supporting the health and wellbeing of our youngest learners, and I want to make sure any decisions about its future are based on the fullest possible evidence. That's why I'm launching this consultation today, to hear directly from schools, parents, learners and the farming and dairy sectors. I would encourage everyone with a view on this issue to take part in the consultation and help inform our decision and way forward."