Question reference: S6W-16422
- Date lodged: 29 March 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 April 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the date from which universal free school meals will be made available to pupils in P6 and P7.
Answer
We remain committed to the expansion of universal free school meals in primary schools. In the Scottish budget for 2023-24, we announced additional investment of £16 million in revenue funding and £80 million in capital funding for free school meals expansion. This will continue to fund the next phase of our expansion, which will be targeted to Primary 6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, which is the next step in fulfilling our commitment to universal provision of free school meals in primary schools.
We recognise that a number of local authorities have indicated they face challenges in planning for the substantial expansion of free school meals. It is right that we work in partnership with local government to deliver our shared commitment. We will continue to engage with COSLA and other key delivery partners to undertake planning for further expansion.