Catering News is sponsored by Two Services
HCL, a leading contract caterer specialising in education catering, today responded to the critical insights from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) report, which highlights significant pressures on schools due to declining student numbers. With 400,000 fewer pupils projected by 2029, and primary school numbers already down by 150,000 since 2019, school funding—tied to per-pupil formulas—is under threat.
HCL advocates for the protection of lunchtime funding. Maintaining this funding, despite fewer students, would ensure increased funding per child, guaranteeing high-quality meals and safeguarding children’s wellbeing.
John Want, CEO of HCL, commented: “This report highlights the pressures that falling student numbers are creating for schools. HCL urges the government to protect lunchtime funding so that total funding remains consistent.
“The economics of school meal provision rely on efficiencies of scale. Core costs like staff and equipment remain largely fixed, regardless of minor fluctuations in pupil numbers. Therefore, a reduction in funding based on per-pupil calculations would disproportionately impact meal quality, as these fixed costs still need to be covered. By maintaining current total funding levels for school meals, we can ensure every child receives the essential, high-quality meals vital for their development and learning, allowing any additional funding per child to directly enhance food standards.”
The EPI report notes London is particularly affected, with nine of the ten boroughs experiencing the sharpest declines. HCL’s operational model consistently drives positive outcomes, demonstrating the impact of well-managed funding.
Jolyon Adam, Finance Director at HCL, highlighted a recent success: “At a large North London primary site, HCL boosted meal uptake from 58% in September 2023 to 96% in 2025. Crucially, even for Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils who already had free meals, uptake rose from 72% to over 90% – meaning over 85 children who previously
didn’t eat a free school meal are now choosing to. This increased participation has enabled significant capital investment in the kitchen, improving service and outcomes for all. It’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved when schools and caterers collaborate.”
HCL is proactively supporting primary schools through its Full Infant Uptake initiative. This programme is designed to help schools maximise every available penny of meal funding, ensuring budgets are optimised to provide vital support to families and deliver nutritious meals efficiently.
Want added: “As demographic shifts reshape our school communities, robust and protected funding for school meals is paramount. It empowers schools to navigate these changes without compromising the nutritional support crucial for children’s health and academic success. Maintaining funding allows for greater efficiency and direct investment into the food itself, rather than struggling to cover overheads.”
HCL believes that a strategic and protected approach to school meal funding is paramount to maintaining the high standards of nutrition and wellbeing that all children deserve, even in a changing educational environment.
