Labour welcoming Govt's U-turn on food in schools

The leader of the Labour Party's welcoming the Government's stance on providing food for hungry kids.

A Labour proposal to provide breakfast for children in low decile schools was initially brushed off by Prime Minister John Key, who said many schools already provide fruit, and others may not want to pick up the idea.

But yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said the Government was quite open to adopting the food in schools idea.

Labour leader David Shearer is applauding the move.

"It's a bit of a U-turn from what they were saying initially but I think they've come round to seeing the real sense of getting kids off to a great start when they start school."

"We'll certainly be pushing them forward on it because if Bill English is coming out and saying they're open to it, that's encouraging but it's not yet putting food in schools."

David Shearer's hoping Labour MP Jacinda Ardern's member's bill on the issue will now start to receive more support.

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