Scottish Government responds to concerns about its rollout of free school meals in Perth and Kinross primary schools

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Scottish Government has said it remains committed to the roll-out of free school meals in primary and special schools in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland.The commitment comes after Perth and Kinross councillors - and many others - expressed concern when Humza Yousaf revealed he would consider ditching the roll-outScotland's First Minister this week opened a debate on how best to target funding as the Scottish Government faces "tough choices".The SNP's 2021 Holyrood election manifesto pledged to "provide free school breakfasts and lunches to every primary school pupil in Scotland, all year round, and for all children in state-funded special schools".The roll-out has been done gradually and was expanded to include primary five pupils in January 2022.The Scottish Government's Programme for Government 2022/23 - setting out actions it will take in the coming year and beyond - said: "We will also:But in an interview with the Daily Record published on Wednesday, May 3 Mr Yousaf said: "I’ve got a 14-year-old now.

Should people be paying for her free school meals when I earn a First Minister’s salary?"I don’t think that’s the right way to use that money.

I think the better way to use the money is to target it to those that need it absolutely the most."His comments sparked an outcry.Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade - who sits on PKC's Learning and Families Committee - Tweeted: "Other than universal free healthcare - universal free school meals seems like a much better way of targeting inequality than many of the other things that are provided free."Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers was "very concerned".The Blairgowrie and Glens councillor said: "I was very concerned to read the comments from the First