MSPs back free school meals plan

Ministers said the school meals scheme was fully funded

Plans to introduce free school meals for all Primary 1 to 3 pupils has passed a crucial hurdle, despite funding concerns about the policy.

Legislation allowing councils to provide the free lunches was passed by Holyrood's Education Committee, despite opposition parties' refusal to back it.

Committee convener Karen Whitefield accused ministers of dishonesty.

Children's Minister Adam Ingram said the policy, which needs the approval of parliament, was fully funded.

Conservative and Liberal Democrat MSPs on the committee voted against the legislation, while Labour members abstained.

The committee's three Nationalist members voted for the legislation, meaning it was passed by three votes to two, although it does not force councils to provide free meals.

I think we've heard a lot of churlish negativity and scaremongering around this policy

Christina McKelvie
SNP MSP

Scottish ministers decided to bring forward proposals to roll out free meals in 2010 after a pilot in several areas of Scotland, which saw the take-up rise from 53% to 75%.

Opposition parties raised concerns that councils did not have the cash to fund free meals, and questioned the government's claim that the policy would tackle poverty.

Ms Whitefield, a Labour MSP, demanded Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop report back to the committee to explain "who will pay the bill".

"Fiona Hyslop is being fundamentally dishonest by announcing a policy that is not adequately resourced," she said.

Conservative MSP Liz Smith told the committee: "I'm persuaded of the extreme need to help those who are in poverty and also persuaded of the evidence from councils that they feel uncomfortable about being able to deliver this policy in difficult economic circumstances when they will have to make some compromises."

The Lib Dems' Margaret Smith added: "We have heard from a number of councils who do have concerns about the funding implications.

"That may well be as a result not only of this, but of the other pressures which they are finding themselves facing up to at the current time."

'Exceptional pressures'

But hitting out at the attacks, SNP MSP Christina McKelvie said: "I think we've heard a lot of churlish negativity and scaremongering around this policy."

Ministers said policy was already fully funded, through the local government settlement, with £30m from 2010.

Mr Ingram accepted some councils faced "exceptional pressures" which had caused them to express concern about the policy.

He added: "A universal approach is required because obesity is a growing problem.

"Targeting a minority of pupils will not bring about the culture change in eating habits that we're looking for - the policy needs to be inclusive."

Meanwhile, the committee was sent a letter supporting the policy, signed by a list of organisations including the Church of Scotland, Save the Children and the Association of Head Teachers and Deputes in Scotland.

"Given the consensus that exists on the importance of nutrition to children's development, we believe it would be a tragedy if a scheme which has boosted healthy school meal uptake so significantly was prevented from being rolled out by local authorities," the letter stated.