Scotland pledges £49m for free school meals for primary children

The £28 million commitment will deliver term-time lunches to more than 90,000 P4 children by August 2021 and to P5 children by January 2022.

Targeted support during school holidays for all eligible primary and secondary children and young people will also be available.

Currently all P1, P2 and P3 pupils in Scotland are entitled to free school lunches.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said, ‘Free school meals are a vital support to thousands of children and young people across the country – ensuring that children have access to a free, healthy and nutritious meal every day they are in school and are ready to engage in learning.’

A further £21.75 million will provide targeted free school meal support during school holidays in 2021 and 2022.

This will start in July for around 145,000 primary and secondary children and young people from low-income households.

Councils will determine what approach in school holidays meets local needs and circumstances, which may include the provision of direct payments, vouchers or food parcels. 

Ms Somerville said that this pledge demonstrates ‘our support for the health and wellbeing of children and young people’ and ‘our commitment to reduce the impact of poverty’ on thousands of families across the country.

Councillor Stephen McCabe of COSLA said, ‘Councils across Scotland have long been committed to delivering healthy free school meals – to eligible children and young people. We are pleased that, in partnership with Scottish Government, this commitment can be further expanded upon by providing free school meals to all Primary 4s in August 2021 and Primary 5s in the later part of the academic year.

‘Local authorities will continue to work hard to ensure that children and young people have access to healthy and nourishing meals so that they are fully able to learn, play, and engage with their peers and communities.’