Question reference: S6W-00092
- Asked by: Neil Gray, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 May 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 1 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many children in the Airdrie and Shotts constituency it estimates will be included in the roll-out of free school breakfasts and lunches.
Answer
We estimate that an additional 2,400 pupils across 23 primary schools within the Airdrie and Shotts constituency will be entitled to receive a free school lunch after the rollout of universal free school meals to include all primary school children is completed. In addition, all 5,300 children attending these primary schools will be entitled to receive a free school breakfast.
The Scottish Government recognises that free school meals are a vital support to thousands of children and young people across the country - ensuring that children are fed and ready to engage in learning. They are also a valued support for family budgets, providing a saving of approximately £400 per year per child. We are providing an additional £49.75 million in 2021-22 to support the expansion of universal free school meals to primary 4 and primary 5 children, and for targeted free school meal support during all school holidays to all primary and secondary children who are eligible.