Last week, Alicia Kearns MP led an Adjournment Debate calling for more extensive protections for school children with allergies.

Alicia raised the case of Benedict Blythe from Stamford who suffered from a severe allergic reaction at school in December 2021 and died at the age of 5.

Benedict's parents, Helen and Pete Blythe, set up the Benedict Blythe Foundation in Benedict's memory to raise awareness of the risks facing children with allergies and to also better support children with unique approaches to learning.

During the debate Alicia urged the Government to adopt the safeguards recommended in the recently published REACT report:

• Every allergic reaction should be recorded and reported.
• All schools should have a specific allergy policy, including an anaphylaxis plan.
• Every school should have an individual healthcare plan for each child with an allergy.
• Funding should be given for every school to hold adrenaline auto-injectors and training for staff
• to administer them in case of an emergency.
• All school staff should receive basis training on allergy awareness, management, and emergency response.
• Accountability mechanisms must be established to monitor and support schools as they implement allergy plans.

Alicia is also calling for all schools in Rutland and Melton to sign the Schools Allergy Code. This is a code of practice providing clear standards and guidance to help schools keep pupils with allergies safe.

There are 680,000 pupils in England with an allergy, with each average sized class of 25 children having 1-2 students with an allergy.

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said: "For too long allergies have been seen as a personal issue to be managed by the individual affected. This needs to change.

"The Benedict Blythe Foundation has worked tirelessly under Helen's leadership to investigate the issues facing pupils with allergies and to produce policy recommendations to solve them.

"I am urging the Government to adopt these simple safeguards, and in doing so honour Benedict Blythe's legacy. Together we can ensure that no pupil with an allergy and their family ever has to decide between an education and their medical safety ever again."