Unions, anti-poverty groups and charities were instrumental in getting groundbreaking legislation passed
Campaigners have welcomed the roll out of free lunches to all primary 1 to 3 pupils across Scotland.
Today marked the beginning of the £95 million project, which has been lauded by unions and anti-poverty groups.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the state schools project, which is expected to save families around £330 a year, is “the right thing to do”.
It is estimated that around 135,000 families will benefit.
Third sector and campaign groups were pivotal in persuading the Scottish Government to pass the legislation.
It is essential all local authorities deliver and ensure our young people have free access to a fresh, healthy and nutritionally balanced meal during the school day
John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said: “This new universal approach agreed by the Scottish Government and local authorities to healthy free school lunches in the early years of primary is a fantastic boost to children and parents.
“Parents are under real financial pressure and the attainment gap between better off children and their more disadvantaged peers remains stubbornly wide so this policy couldn’t be more timely.
“Means-testing nutritious free school lunches means too many children miss out on the educational and health benefits they provide.
“At the same time parents too often struggle to meet the extra costs of lunches as they move back into work or increase their hours when their children start school.”
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of teaching union EIS, said: “It is extremely welcome that the Scottish Government is working with local authorities to roll out free meals to young primary children in all parts of the country.
“Providing all pupils in P1 to P3 with a free school meal is a significant and positive step, which will aid family budgets, bring important health benefits for young children and help pupils to concentrate on their learning throughout the school day.
“It is now essential that all local authorities deliver on this commitment, and ensure that our young people have free access to a fresh, healthy and nutritionally balanced meal during the school day.” -
Marion Davis of One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) said: “Currently many primary school children miss out on a healthy school meal, many for reasons of poverty. Free school meals have been shown to improve health and help tackle health inequalities, as well as removing the poverty trap faced by parents trying to move into employment.
“Free school meals for all P1 to P3 pupils will increase support to single parents who are at the forefront of Westminster cuts to their already low income.
“Public opinion, most parents and children’s organisations across Scotland are behind the idea of universal free, high quality school meals therefore we hope this will be the first step in Scottish Government rolling out free school meals to all primary school children across Scotland “
Alison Todd, chief executive of Children 1st, said: “Children 1st welcomes the roll out of school meals, we know that many children go to school hungry and welcome this measure as one part of ensuring every child is able to achieve and reach their potential”
Rosemary Brotchie, policy and research manager at Shelter Scotland, said: “This is a great start to 2015 for the thousands of schoolchildren across Scotland who will now benefit from a nutritious free school meal at lunch-time. This move will be especially welcomed by all those families finding it hard to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads."
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, added: “This is a significant step forward for the campaign for universal free school meals. At a time when levels of child poverty are on the increase measures like free school meals become all the more important”.
CPAG in Scotland, Children in Scotland, Children 1st, EIS, STUC, Shelter Scotland, OPFS, the Poverty Alliance and Unison successfully worked together to persuade the Scottish Government to deliver on its long standing free school lunch ambitions and commitments.
