Case for universal free school meals now clear

Responding to the positive evaluation of free school meals in Scotland and a commitment by the Scottish Government to implement universal free school meals for primary 1 to 3 pupils, Kate Green, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group said:

“The successful pilots of universal free school meals in Scotland and the very welcome commitment to roll out the scheme show the massive gains to be had from a universal approach.

“The Scottish evidence adds to the successful pilot in Hull where universal free school meals increased the take up of meals, improved children’s eating habits and improved children’s attention to learn.

“The evidence base is now overwhelming. The English pilots recently announced by Ed Balls and Alan Johnson are welcome, but there is enough evidence already. Let’s give all children free healthy school meals now.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 130 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.
• In September the Secretaries of State for Children, Schools and Families recently announced £20 million funding for pilots of universal free school meals in primary schools in two local authorities and of extending entitlement for free school meals to children with parents in low paid work.
• The Scottish evaluation (of pilots in), is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/236867/0064986.pdf and the evaluation of the earlier Hull pilot can be found at www.hull.ac.uk/ifl-research/finalreport.pdf
• Child Poverty Action Group’s ‘2 Skint 4 School’ campaign, focusing on the links between poverty and education can be found at www.cpag.org.uk/2skint4school

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk