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Future options of the school milk subsidy scheme (SMSS) in Wales

 

Overview

Welsh Government are seeking views on the future of the school milk subsidy scheme (SMSS) in Wales.

This consultation asks for views on whether a dedicated school milk scheme should continue, and if so, how it should operate in the future. It also seeks views on the potential impacts of discontinuing the scheme and the extent to which existing school food and drink provision could continue to support learners' access to milk.

Responses should be returned by 4 January 2027

You must submit your response for it to be considered.

I understand that any text that I enter into this form will be recorded and accessible to the Welsh Government, even if I do not click on the “submit” button on the final page.

I also understand that only forms which have been submitted to the Welsh Government by the user clicking on the “submit” button will be considered as part of the consultation.  

The Welsh Government will disregard any text which has been recorded on forms where the user has not clicked on the “submit” button.

 

Questions 1 to 8 for all respondents

Question 1

To what extent do you think that the existing School Milk Subsidy Scheme provides sufficient access to milk or suitable alternatives during the school day?

 

Question 2

What benefits, if any, do you think would result from continuing a dedicated School Milk Scheme? 

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 3

What benefits, if any, do you think would result from ending the dedicated School Milk Subsidy Scheme?

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 4

If the School Milk Subsidy Scheme ended, how likely or unlikely is it that learners would continue accessing milk through existing breakfast and lunch provision?

 

Question 5

What impacts, if any, do you think would arise if the School Milk Subsidy Scheme was discontinued?

(check all that apply)

 

Question 6

Which groups of learners, if any, do you think would be most affected by discontinuing the School Milk Subsidy Scheme?

(check all that apply)

 

Question 7

Which option do you prefer?

 

Question 8

If school milk continues to be provided through a new Welsh Government scheme, should eligibility continue to include independent schools, or should the scheme be limited to maintained schools in line with wider Welsh Government school food policies?

 

Questions 9 to 12 for local authority respondents only

Question 9

What operational, financial or procurement impacts, if any, would continuing the milk provision through a new scheme have for your authority?

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 10

What actions, if any, could help mitigate any adverse impacts?

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 11

What operational, financial or procurement impacts, if any, would discontinuing the provision have for your authority?

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 12

What actions, if any, could help mitigate any adverse impacts?

Please explain your answer.

 

Question 13 for school staff only

Question 13

If the School Milk Subsidy Scheme was discontinued, would your school seek other arrangements to continue providing milk beyond any existing breakfast or lunch provision?

 

Questions 14 to 16 for supply chain participants only

Question 14

What impact, if any, would continuing a school milk scheme through a grant-funded model delivered via the Local Authority Education Grant (LAEG) have on your organisation or business?

 

Question 15

What impact, if any, would discontinuing the SMSS have on your organisation or business?

 

Question 16

What mitigating actions could Welsh Government, local authorities or schools take to minimise any adverse impacts on suppliers and the wider dairy sector?

Please explain your answer.