Warm words do not feed children, says Children’s Commissioner

The Government has been heavily criticised for the decision to scrap plans for universal free school meals.

The decision was revealed last week (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Archive)

The Scottish Government has been criticised by the country’s Children’s Commissioner over the decision to scrap plans for universal free school meals for primary school pupils.

The decision was revealed in the Programme for Government last week – but not mentioned by First Minister John Swinney in his speech – to roll back the commitment.

The rollout would now not include all children in Primary 6 and 7, only those who were in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

Mr Swinney’s Government has been heavily criticised over the move, with Nicola Killean, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, issuing a terse statement on Tuesday in response.

Speaking ahead of a Scottish Tory-forced vote on the issue on Wednesday, the Commissioner said the rollout of universal free school meals was “vital”.

“Warm words about tackling child poverty do not keep children warm, nor do they put food in their tummies,” she said.

“Going to school hungry is not only a barrier to learning and educational achievement but it can severely impact development in childhood and into adulthood.

“Providing access to universal school meals is vital; it helps reduce stigma and reinforces the understanding of food as a human right.

“We know that children who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience poor health, obesity and malnutrition, as well as other challenges to their physical and mental development.”

She added: “Any rollback or dilution of commitments to universal provision of school meals for P1-P7 can only be seen as a broken promise to children by the Scottish Government – the same government that just put children’s rights into law this summer.”

Ms Killean went on to say she had heard stories of some children buying extra food to share with their poorer classmates, while teachers are also stepping in to help those who cannot eat.

“The right to food is an entitlement, not a charitable act, and it is shameful that pressure is being felt by other children and the school community to solve this issue when the Scottish Government is choosing not to,” she said.

The Commissioner pointed to Mr Swinney’s position as Education Secretary under Nicola Sturgeon when the SNP made the pledge to extend free school meals to all pupils in primary school, adding: “Food insecurity and experiencing poverty is a violation of children’s rights and the Scottish Government must do all it can to meet its human rights obligations.”

The SNP currently does not hold a majority in the Scottish Parliament, meaning it could face losing the Wednesday vote if it does not receive the backing of other parties.

Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Willie Rennie said he shares “the frustrations” of the Commissioner.

He added: “If we are to move the dial at all on child poverty, ministers shouldn’t be making promises they can’t keep.

“Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and John Swinney all committed to universal free school meals for primary pupils, but they have all failed to deliver.

“The SNP’s pyre of empty pledges is growing by the day – no wonder people just don’t trust them anymore.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Ministers have consistently warned of the significance of the financial challenges, due to prolonged Westminster austerity, the cost-of-living crisis and record high inflation – which has placed enormous and growing pressure on the public finances.

“That means that whilst we remain resolutely committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools, the funding is not available for this to be completed by 2026.

“We continue to provide free school meals for nearly 278,000 pupils in primaries one to five, special schools and to those eligible to S6 saving families around £400 per child per year.

“Our immediate focus is now to expand provision further to those in primary six and seven in receipt of the Scottish child payment, which we will deliver in this parliamentary term.”