THE SNP’s expansion of free school meals has helped to feed more than 230,000 children amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.
A total of 231,957 children received free school meals in 2023, a policy which has been hailed for helping to “ease pressure on household budgets”.
The Scottish Government expanded free school meal entitlement to all children in P1 to P5.
Meanwhile, the 2024/25 Budget confirmed the extension of free school meals for P6 and P7 children who are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
Responding to the news, SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart (above) said: “Scotland has the most comprehensive offer of free school meals of any nation in the UK.
“These statistics underline how action from this SNP Scottish Government is delivering for children and their families across Scotland by easing pressure on household budgets and making sure more children have access to a healthy, nutritious meal.”
The latest figures also showed an increased uptake of free school meals across primary, secondary and special schools from 49.9% in 2022 to 53.4% in 2023.
Stewart added: “We know the impact this Tory cost of living crisis has had on children, who are the most vulnerable to consequences of Tory austerity and reckless welfare cuts.
“The expansion of free school meals under the SNP now means that parents now have one less thing to worry about when trying to make ends meet.”
The MSP continued: “Where it can, the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate the worst of Westminster’s backward policies and cost crisis, but without the full powers of independence, there is only so far it can go.
“We need independence, so that the Scottish Government can have the full powers at its disposal to tackle the root causes of poverty, and ensure no child goes hungry again.”
