Free school meals for all primary pupils is a policy that should have been introduced decades ago.
It’s no secret that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to struggle in classrooms.
Hunger is a social issue that has never been fully eradicated in Scotland despite the comfortable assumptions of some.
The early years of a child’s development are the most crucial and it’s simply not fair that some are being held back by circumstances over which they have no control.
The Scottish Government deserves credit for backing the free school meals policy.
Under current provisions all pupils in primaries one to four are entitled to a free lunch during term time and this will be extended to primary five in January.
But there is uncertainty over when the policy will eventually include those in primary six and seven.
The SNP last year pledged that it would be expanded by August 2022 but that was quietly dropped at this month’s Budget.
The promise is now to ensure all pupils are included by the end of the parliamentary term – more than four years away.
Councils are grumbling that they have not had enough time to expand kitchens and hire more staff to handle the increased numbers of pupils eating at school.
Teaching union EIS is now calling on ministers to ensure the roll-out to all pupils happens as soon as possible.
It’s a message we back wholeheartedly.
Free school meals for all primary pupils must happen as soon as possible.
To all our readers
This Christmas most of us really can raise a glass to friends and family.
We are, lateral flow tests permitting, able to reunite with our loved ones to make Christmas more than a zoom call and a single mince pie in isolation.
This year, like the last, we have been borne through the worst of the pandemic surges by the unbreakable spirit of the NHS, the incredible service of key workers in shops, on buses and in council services.
We have also looked out for each other, by getting jabbed, by wearing masks, by following the rules to keep us all safe – even if there have been some notably bad examples set behind one famous neighbourhood door.
After a really challenging year we can sit round the table with our loved ones, be thankful and recharge ourselves for whatever is to come.
A Merry Christmas to one and all from the Daily Record. We are taking a break too and there is no Christmas Day paper.
But we will be back on Monday with Scotland’s news.
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