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Leaders across the allergy community call for stronger protections in schools
We are really pleased to see the Government’s new statutory guidance to improve allergy safety in schools getting the recognition it deserves in the national press today.
In a letter to the Editor, published in The Sunday Telegraph, leaders from across the allergy community, including Simone Miles, Allergy UK Chief Executive, welcomed the proposed measures known as Benedict’s Law. These would require schools to have allergy policies, train staff and have life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors available.
However, the letter also stresses that statutory guidance alone is not enough. To ensure every child with allergies is equally protected, these safeguards must be set in law and properly funded, so schools have the support they need to implement them consistently.
You can read the letter in below and join the call for stronger protections for children with allergies in schools.
We welcome the Government’s consultation on new statutory guidance to improve allergy safety in schools, with a vote in the Commons tomorrow on the amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to make these law. These measures – known as Benedict’s Law – will require schools to have allergy policies, staff training and access to life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors.
However, there is consensus across the allergy community that statutory guidance alone is not enough. It does not make these safeguards legally enforceable and does not provide funding to ensure schools can deliver them consistently.
Schools are already under significant financial pressure. Without legislation and funding, the risk remains that some will struggle to meet these expectations, leaving children with allergies unevenly protected.
The Government has shown that it recognises the importance of allergy safety. The next step is to enshrine protections in law and fund their implementation, ensuring every child is equally protected and every school properly supported.
Helen Blythe, Founder, Benedict Blythe Foundation.
Simone Miles, Chief executive, Allergy UK.
Sarah Knight, Chief executive, The Allergy Team.
Professor Adam Fox, Consultant paediatric allergist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Paul Turner, Professor of paediatric allergy and clinical immunology, Imperial College London.
Following the announcement of Benedict’s Law and the campaign to have stronger protections for children with allergies in school, the consultation is now open in England for eight weeks, ahead of coming into force in September 2026.