This measure will benefit an additional 135,000 pupils across Scotland and will save families of every eligible child at least £330 a year. The Scottish Government is providing revenue funding of £70.5 million over two years to deliver the commitment, supported with total additional capital funding of all 32 local councils in Scotland of £24.8 million.
Speaking on a visit to her old primary school, Dreghorn Primary, in North Ayrshire, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is an exciting and historic day for Scottish education. It’s the beginning of a new year, a new school term and free school meals are now on the menu for all Primary 1-3s. Great things are going on at schools across Scotland and it's a privilege to be back at Dreghorn Primary as First Minister, as my experiences here had a huge role in shaping my life.
Philip Gosnay, Head Teacher, Dreghorn Primary School said: “We are all thrilled that the First Minister has chosen her old Primary School to launch this new initiative. Research has shown that free school meals impact positively on the health and social development of children. It is vital that we, as educationalists, take this opportunity to use the provision of free school lunches to reinforce the connection between what we eat and our health and well-being.”
The introduction of free school meals for all P1-3 pupils has been supported by campaigners against child poverty, including Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, Children in Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, the Church of Scotland and trade unions.