IT says much for the cult of celebrity chef and the approach of a general election that it just takes Jamie Oliver to snap his fingers to get the Government to promise more money for school meals.

The likeable Cockney wide-boy presses all the right electoral buttons for this "yoof" and "cool"-obsessed administration, so the Education Secretary jumps even before Mr Oliver's petition arrives at Downing Street.

Folk at County Hall, Northallerton, could be excused a wry smile. Over a year ago they had rolled out the Richmond Local Produce into Schools initiative to great success. This widely-reported initiative was about improving the quality of school meals by encouraging links between local food suppliers and schools and, at the same time, creating healthier menus.

It was the first initiative of its type in the country and the pilot project was considered a great success, Sadly no-one in Government sat up and took notice.

It ill behoves the media to whinge when Government takes note of what it reports, but the Education Secertary's announcement this week is just a little too opportunistic.