School meals have become a hot potato

The English policy requires that at least 50p per pupil per day be spent on meals in all primary schools and 60p in secondary schools.

Chef Jamie Oliver welcomed the move by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly.

A recent newspaper survey of Scottish schools found that 66.2p was being spent on average on primary school meals and 72.1p in secondary schools.

Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson said: "I am delighted to see our unprecedented investment in school meals now being repeated south of the border.

"Providing children with nutritious food at school is one of the most important contributions we can make to the future health of our nation.

"In Scotland we are investing over £63m over three years to make school meals more nutritious and appetising - at no extra cost to parents - and an additional £6m for free fruit in the early years of primary school."

He added that new nutritional guidelines for nurseries were announced last week.