JOHN Swinney is to face a vote over scrapping plans for universal free meals at primary schools.
It comes after the First Minister clashed with both Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater on the issue at First Minister's Questions this week.
Instead of universal provision, free school meals will only reach P6 and P7 pupils who are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment for now.
However, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government confirmed on Wednesday additional funding from the UK Government could be used for the policy if it becomes available.
It’s now been reported that the Tories are aiming to table a motion in support of the SNP’s manifesto commitment to deliver free lunch for all P6 and P7 children.
Scottish Tory education spokesperson Liam Kerr said his party would use “crucial parliamentary time” in a bid to reverse the decision.
The Sunday Mail reports that the motion is expected to draw backing from across the political spectrum.
“I urge the SNP to do the right thing and deliver this pledge as promised,” Kerr said.
However, speaking at FMQs this week, Swinney accused the Tories of having “destroyed” Scotland’s future as he hit back at attacks for abandoning the plans from Ross.
He said child poverty had been “made worse by the folly and actions of the 14 years of the Conservatives”.
However, Slater branded the decision as a “betrayal” while general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress Roz Foyer (above) said it was “unforgivable”.
The decision may leave the SNP unable to get their Budget through parliament as support from the Scottish Greens is not guaranteed following the collapse of the Bute House Agreement.
A senior Greens source told the Sunday Mail: “The Greens might change their mind and support the Budget if there’s a U-turn on free school meals.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said it had warned about “growing pressure on public finances” and added: "That means that, while we remain resolutely committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools, this will not now be fully completed by 2026.
"We continue to provide free school meals for nearly 278,000 pupils in primaries 1 to 5, special schools and to those eligible to S6… we will now expand provision further to those in Primary 6 and 7 in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment."
