School dinners at risk

School dinners will be put at risk by new premises regulations that no longer require schools to have proper kitchens and canteens, say campaigners.

The facilities needed to cook and serve pupils' meals in English schools were spelled out in the old document but left out of the new one.

The Children's Food Trust says it is disappointed that the rules have been watered down.

The government says the changes simply remove unnecessary duplication.

The previous regulations demanded that schools provide buildings that "allow for the preparation or serving of food and drinks and the washing of crockery and other utensils".

They also said schools should consider providing "adequate facilities" such as cold storage for food that pupils bring to school.

The new premises rules make no mention of these requirements.