Anti-poverty campaigners hail “massive step" toward universal free school meals

The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland today hailed the start of the Scottish Government’s pilot universal free school meal programme. All pupils in Primary 1 to 3 in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, Fife and the Borders will start receiving a free healthy lunch as they return from the October break. Welcoming the first day of the pilot John Dickie, Head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said;

"This is a massive step forward for the campaign to ensure every child, whatever their background, gets at least one healthy meal a day. Universal free school meals could make a huge impact in tackling family poverty and improving children’s health and ability to learn.

The sooner the Scottish Government rolls out free school meals to all children the better so it is vital that the pilot programme succeeds. Providing high quality nutritious meals in attractive surroundings and ensuring that pupils, teachers and parents are involved in the pilots at every stage will be crucial to that success.”

For further details or comment please contact:

John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland
Office 0141 552 3656
Mobile 0779 534 0618