During budget negotiations with the Government Green MSPs secured agreement to expand eligibility for free school meals to S1-S3 pupils in eight council areas across Scotland from August this year. The areas include Aberdeen, Glasgow, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Previously Scottish Green MSPs secured the expansion of universal free school meals to P4 and P5 pupils, as well as the ongoing expansion to P6 and P7 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment.
Ross Greer MSP, Scottish Greens spokesperson, commented: “Thousands of young people will now get a free school meal through our pilot programme. Children can't learn if they are hungry and we know that free meals can have a transformative impact on their success at school.
“The Scottish Greens have always championed universal free school meals, and that is why we brought this proposal to the table during budget negotiations. It builds on our previous work to expand free school meals in P4-7, which is already helping tens of thousands of children.
“These eight areas are just the start. Green MSPs will now push for this programme to be expanded to every other council as soon as possible and eventually, for every pupil from early years right up to S6 to receive a free school meal.”