One in five Scots children in poverty still not eligible for free school meals
dailyrecord.co.ukOne in five children in poverty in Scotland are still not eligible for free school meals, according to new analysis.The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) warned some 25,000 kids living below the poverty line - 20 per cent - don't receive free school lunches.It comes after First Minister John Swinney dumped his promise for universal free school meals for every primary school pupil.This month's Programme for Government instead restricted support for kids in P6 and P7 from low income families.But the SNP Government was humbled when Scottish Parliament voted in favour of expanding universal free school meals to all primary school pupils in a non-binding vote last week.The CPAG said its analysis is "a stark reminder of just how important John Swinney’s promise of free school meals for all primary school pupils in Scotland was."The 20 per cent rate of Scots kids in poverty missing out was lower than the English rate of 33 per cent.
Northern Ireland also had 20 per cent missing out.But Wales - which has always had a Labour Government - had a lower rate of 15 per cent.
Universal free school meals have been rolled out across Welsh primary schools.John Dickie, CPAG director, said: "This new analysis from CPAG is a stark reminder of just how important John Swinney’s promise of free school meals for all primary school pupils in Scotland was."With so many children in poverty missing out, young people themselves telling us what a priority free school meals are, and the Scottish Parliament unanimous in its support the First Minister must surely now reinstate the delivery of free school meals for all primary school pupils.”The CPAG also carried out a survey of 5,000 primary school children, in which 89 per cent said the promise to make
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