Parents in England to pay more for school lunches as caterers blame rising costs

As a new academic year begins providers say national insurance rises and food price inflation has forced up prices

Parents across England are facing higher prices for school lunches as the new school year begins, with caterers blaming the government’s national insurance increase alongside rising food and energy costs.

Lunch providers say increases in staffing costs, including employer national insurance contributions announced by the chancellor last year, have added “significant extra pressure” to their budgets.