FMQs: SNP must commit to expanding free school meals to all councils
The First Minister must ensure that the free school meals programme is expanded across Scotland for all pupils, says Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater.
Scottish Greens secured universal free school meals for P1 to P5, and expanded provisions for P6 and P7 children whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment.
Speaking at First Minister’s Question, Ms Slater highlighted the latest rollout of free lunches to S1-S3 pupils in receipt of SCP, also secured by the Greens, must be a stepping stone towards universal free school meals for all children.
In her first question, Ms Slater asked the First Minister:
“We know children can’t learn if they are hungry.
“That’s why the Greens campaigned for universal free school meals for P4 and P5 kids, expanded provision to P6 and P7 kids whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment;
and why we brought the next phase of roll out, to S1, S2 and S3 kids receiving SCP, to budget negotiations.
“In August, thousands more high school kids in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Shetland and the Western Isles will now get free school meals.“Does the First Minister agree that this programme must be expanded to all Council areas as soon as possible to ensure that no kid goes hungry in school?”
Following a response from the First Minister where he stated he was committed to doing more to expand free school meals even further within the Scottish Government’s budget, Ms Slater stressed the importance of Scottish independence to allow us to tackle poverty and inequality even further with the full powers of a self-governing nation, rather than continuing to pick up the pieces left by Westminster’s decisions.
In her second question, Ms Slater asked:
"Expanding free school meals is one way to build the fairer, greener country we know Scotland can be.
“But children in Scotland will still be forced into poverty thanks to a Labour Government balancing the books on the backs of the poorest, while the wealthiest grow even richer.
“The UK Government could have scrapped the cruel 2-child benefit cap this week - they didn’t.
“Scotland is tired of mitigating Westminster’s mistakes.
“Does the First Minister agree that now is the time to demand that Keir Starmer set out exactly what conditions he believes need to be met to trigger an independence referendum for Scotland so we get out of this unequal union?”