CALLS have been made for Welsh Government to review its guidance on school meal portion sizes after pupils in Prestatyn were said to have returned to class “still hungry” after lunch.

Gareth Davies, Vale of Clwyd MS, visited a primary school in Prestatyn last week and witnessed children in reception unable to finish their meal.

He said that older children, meanwhile, told him they still felt hungry after finishing their lunch.

The school informed Mr Davies that it shares his concerns, but that Welsh Government states that schools must provide the same portion size to four-year-olds as they do to 10-year-olds.

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Guidance stipulates that a larger portion size is given in secondary schools than in primary schools, but the same portion must be provided between years within the same school.

This is part of Welsh Government’s Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) programme.

Mr Davies said he was concerned that children would not be able to concentrate in the afternoon if they were still hungry following their lunch.

He raised this issue in the Senedd earlier this week, and requested a review of the guidance to ensure that the meals provided meet the nutritional requirements of the children.

Though, Mr Davies stressed that this is not an issue exclusively to the school in Prestatyn he visited; rather, his concern is with Welsh Government’s policy.

Mr Davies said: “I was deeply concerned to witness primary school pupils returning to the classroom still hungry following the meagre lunch rations schools are forced to offer due to mandatory Welsh Government guidance.

“It’s common sense that a 10-year-old requires a more substantial meal than a four-year-old.

“But the wholesale approach by Welsh Government is not addressing the needs of different ages – sentiments that the Children’s Commissioner for Wales has also expressed recently.

“I have called on the Welsh Government to urgently review its guidance and ensure that children receive a nutritional meal appropriate for their age.”

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, raised her concerns in April following a "snapshot" survey of children's views on school dinners.

This revealed that only a minority of primary school pupils felt full after their lunch.

Welsh Government said in response to Mr Davies’ comments that it soon plans to review the guidance it sets out in this regard.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We will shortly be reviewing our regulations and guidance setting out suggested portion sizes, which currently differentiate between primary and secondary settings.

“As part of the consultation process, we will be seeking the views of children and young people, parents, and stakeholders about any changes we plan to make to school food, and consider the most recent health recommendations for child nutrition, including portion sizes.”