News that Lottery money is to be used to fund the recently announced improvements to school meals has been condemned by the Institute of Fundraising (Institute).

The Big Lottery Fund (BLF) is to give £45m to enable a School Food Trust to be set up that will give independent support and advice to schools and parents to help raise the standards of the food provided. A further £15m will come from the Department for Education and Skills.

Lindsey Boswell, chief executive of the Institute, described the news as a “disgrace”. He said: “Anyone who buys a lottery ticket believes that their money is going to good causes, rather than setting up new Government-led bodies or initiatives. This move will undoubtedly see UK charities missing out on millions of vital income.

“We would urge Government to preserve the independence of the BLF. One of the Fund’s core principles is to ensure that funding is additional to Government spending and this principle must be preserved. Lottery money should not be used on projects that should be funded from general taxation or that stem from Government policy making.”