Blog: Free school meals must be given to all families receiving Scottish Child Payment

The new First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot simply be rhetoric. Our political and civic leaders must ensure it becomes a reality.

Expanding free school meals eligibility is a tangible action that can make a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families. This change can happen immediately. It will offer a lifeline to families who are barely keeping their heads above water and who find themselves in school meal debt.

We applauded the previous First Minister’s decision to abolish school meal debt for a year. It was a crucial step in the right direction. However, a one-time fix isn’t enough. We must ensure this commitment becomes permanent. No child in Scotland should ever carry the weight of school meal debt, and no child should ever experience the shame and anxiety of going hungry at school.

School meal debt is a glaring symptom of a deeper problem – families simply don’t have enough to make ends meet. Every child should have the right to healthy, nutritious food and it’s the government’s responsibility to uphold that right. By preventing school meal debt in the first place, we can create a future where all children have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Providing free school meals to the children of low-income families isn’t just about easing immediate hardship. It’s about investing in our future. These children are the doctors, teachers and leaders of tomorrow. By giving them a healthy start, we are giving everyone in our society a chance to truly flourish.

We urge the Scottish Government to take action now. Let’s include a clear commitment to expanding free school meals in the upcoming Programme for Government. This will send a powerful message that Scotland prioritises its children’s well–being, and that no child will ever be left to go hungry again.

Together, we can create a Scotland where every child sits down to a full plate at school, a Scotland where hunger becomes a thing of the past. It’s time to take action, it’s time to ensure no child is left behind.

Martin Canavan

Head of Policy and Participation 

This article was written for the Daily Record and published on 16th May 2024. Read the article.