Youngsters in Lanarkshire are set to benefit from the Scottish Government’s decision to award all P1 – P7 pupils free school breakfast and lunch.
In a Parliamentary Written Question to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Neil Gray, Airdrie & Shotts MSP asked how many children in Airdrie and Shotts would benefit from the roll-out of universal free school meals.
The response Mr Gray received showed that, across all 23 primary schools in the constituency, a total of 5300 children will be able to access free school meals – an increase of 2400 – more than were previously entitled to receive this benefit.
Mr Gray said: “To know that all 5300 primary age children in Airdrie and Shotts will receive a free breakfast and lunch no matter their circumstances is fantastic. To include all P1 – P7 pupils shows that this SNP Government is looking long term at the country’s future.
“Children learn better if they have a breakfast and healthy lunch, so for parents to know that this is provided will be a weight off their minds. Yet again when given the chance, the Scottish government will always prioritise the needs of the people of Scotland, something that the Tory government in Westminster frequently fails to do.”
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