Delayed Isle of Man School Meals Review published with significant redactions

Publication has been stalled numerous times despite pressure from backbench MHKs

A newly released report reviewing the Isle of Man’s school meals system has highlighted key issues, including the £2.5 million annual cost, concerns over ultra-processed food, and potential reforms to improve nutritional standards and sustainability.

The 2023 School Meals Review, was commissioned by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture following questions in Tynwald over the presence of ultra-processed foods in school meals.

The findings provide an analysis of current funding, operations, and food quality, while comparing the Isle of Man's approach to other jurisdictions, including Guernsey, Jersey, Wales, and Scotland.

Redacted content

A significant portion of the report is redacted, making it difficult to assess the full scope of considerations.

Of the total 159 pages in the document, 113 have at least one redaction.  Some pages are censored in their entirety.

Findings

The Isle of Man Government spends £2,522,000 on school meals.  Of this, £1,708,000 is allocated to primary schools, while £814,000 funds secondary school meals.

A total of 1,930 students across primary and secondary schools receive free school meals, with 979 in primary and 951 in secondary and the University College Isle of Man.

Under the current system, primary schools operate under a centralised DESC-controlled model, where menus, staffing, and budgeting are centrally managed.

Secondary schools function independently, with each headteacher managing their own catering budget and supplier contracts.

In primary schools, the total cost per meal is £4.37, of which parents pay £2.35, and DESC subsidises £2.02.

Secondary schools subsidise their own meals, ensuring free school meal recipients receive an equivalent meal option.

Ultra-processed foods

One of the most significant findings of the report is the prevalence of ultra-processed foods, which has raised public health concerns. The review references a Soil Association report showing that 50.7 percent of food purchased in the UK is ultra-processed – the highest rate in Europe.

While the report states that fresh, locally sourced ingredients are prioritised where possible, some processed and frozen foods remain in use due to cost constraints.

Nutritional analysis of school menus is currently conducted retrospectively, meaning meals are not necessarily planned with precise calorie or nutrient targets in advance.

Five-year plan

The review proposes several reforms, including:

• Improved nutritional standards, potentially introducing an Isle of Man-specific school food standard to replace reliance on UK guidelines.
• More sustainable meal procurement, including reviewing purchasing and tendering processes to align with climate change goals.
• Better quality assurance measures, ensuring consistency across primary and secondary schools.
• Exploring alternative operating models, including outsourcing school meals services, as seen in Scotland and Guernsey.

The Council of Ministers is expected to consider the recommendations and determine next steps in the coming months.