Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-34158 on 13 January 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The provision of free school meals and alternatives is made to those who are entitled to, or who become eligible for free school meals in line with the national eligibility criteria for the provision of free school meals. This is available from School meals - mygov.scot . Free school meals and alternatives may also be provided to those who qualify under local initiatives.

Statistics on pupils registered for free school meals, including those that qualify under national criteria as well as any local initiatives that extend those criteria, are published in tables 6.17 and 7.14 of the pupil census supplementary statistics, available on the Scottish Government website here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/pupil-census-supplementary-statistics/

The nutritional standards for food provided at school lunches and breakfast clubs, after school clubs, tuckshops, vending machines are determined by The Nutritional Requirements for food and drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008. Any school lunches provided by an education authority to those who are self-isolating would be required to meet these standards. It is for education authorities to ensure that the food provided is in line with the nutritional standards

The safety of all staff and building users is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government, that is why we have been working with a range of sectors and specialist organisations to develop sector specific guidance on ventilation.

This guidance includes a range of practical solutions to enhance air flow within enclosed spaces, and can be achieved by straightforward solutions, such as the opening of windows or vents. This seeks to provide cost effective solutions to overcome poorer ventilation, and support employers to consider options to provide a Covid-safe environment for staff and customers.

As we progress through the pandemic, we will of course keep under consideration whether this guidance needs to be supported by discreet funding for such projects.

Our most recent data on uptake of free school meals is contained within the Schools Healthy Living Survey Statistics Report, which was published on 8 September 2020. This survey was carried in February 2020 therefore the data contained within this report pre-dates the introduction of any COVID-19 related regulations.

We do not hold further information about uptake rates since then, although individual Local Authorities may hold information on uptake of free school meals since schools reopened in August. With regards to alternative provision for families eligible for free school meals whilst the schools were closed, Scottish Government officials monitored returns from local authorities during the summer which showed that up to 175,000 children and young people were receiving alternative provision in lieu of free school meals.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, education authorities continue to have a statutory duty, under section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, to promote the availability of school lunches at all schools under their management and to encourage all children and young people in attendance to consume them, and to ensure that all food and drink served their in schools complies with the standards set out in The Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008.

In addition, education authorities continue to have a statutory duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that any child or young person who is entitled to free school lunches receives them.

No child should be going hungry and tackling poverty and inequality is a key priority for this government. The policy of extending the universal provision of free school meals, to cover all primary school children, would not provide families with new income although the provision of free school lunches currently saves all eligible families an average of £400 per child per year.

The additional policy of extending provision to cover school breakfast clubs, and during the school holidays, will assist low income families. Breakfast clubs form an important part of the school day for many children and families and regularly eating nutritious breakfasts supports both positive health and learning outcomes.

We also know holiday periods bring extra financial pressures for families on low incomes. Provision of breakfast and lunch to all primary school pupils during holiday periods will ensure children from low income families can access healthy food without stigma, and relieving pressure on household budgets. Holiday meals are often provided alongside activities for children, which bring wider health, wellbeing and social benefits.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools sets out the considerations that education and authorities should take to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for those who are asked to shield (at protection level 4). This is available from Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) The guidance also sets out the considerations that should be made for school staff who have underlying health conditions. This is available from Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

In both cases the appropriate arrangements which may be put in place would be determined by individualised risk assessment.

The Scottish Government does not issue guidance to local authorities about using local suppliers and producers for the supply of ingredients for school meals, since they operate independently from Scottish Ministers for their procurement activities. They are therefore responsible for running their own tendering exercises and for the decisions taken as part of those exercises.

Where the value of a contract exceeds £50,000 local authorities, and other public bodies, are required to follow the terms of the Procurement (Scotland) Act 2014 and its associated regulations. The Scottish Government’s website contains a section on Public Sector Procurement Support, which provides a range of tools and guidance to help public bodies carry out transactions efficiently, and to improve and enhance their procurement capability. This information is available on the Scottish Government’s website through the following link: Public sector procurement - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

In addition we support the Soil Association’s Food for Life programme which is now held by 15 local authorities across Scotland. The programme aims to help school catering staff serve freshly prepared meals made from locally produced ingredients that are healthy and sustainable and brings benefits to local food producers by protecting jobs and supporting local farmers. Not only does it encourage local sourcing but it is making a great difference in ensuring that our school children have access to delicious, healthy, sustainable food that has been grown, sourced and produced in Scotland.