Milk for School Children

Former Conservative Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell has downplayed apparent government confusion over the proposed scrapping of free milk for under-fives. The coalition said on Sunday (08/08/10) that the benefit would not go, after health minister Anne Milton suggested plans for such a move were in place. Mr Dorrell said it had been judged that the political risk "didn't merit the rewards". Downing Street said keeping free milk would help the poor and vulnerable. The Nursery Milk scheme allows children under five in approved day care to receive 189ml (1/3 pint) of milk each day free of charge. It dates back to 1940, when milk was issued to pregnant women and young children to protect them against wartime food shortages.