 Glasgow SNP list MSP Bob Doris has welcomed the announcement of free school meals Pilots one of which will be in Glasgow. Bob called for this during his maiden speech in the Parliament and has also raised the matter with the Cabinet Secretary for Education Fiona Hyslop.
The £5 million trial will target some of the country's most vulnerable children and are part of the government's commitment to improving Scotland's health and encouraging good eating habits from a young age. Every primary one to three pupil in Glasgow, the Borders, East Ayrshire, Fife, and West Dunbartonshire will have access to free nutritious meals during the six month scheme.
Bob said: "This is a result. I have called for Glasgow to be included since being elected and I am delighted that our Government has listened and Glasgow has been chosen"
"Following an oral question in the Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop gave an undertaking that Glasgow would be looked at and she has been as good as her word"
"As a former 'dinner ticket' kid myself I know the stigma that can go with claiming free school meals. Many families do not apply for that very reason so at a stroke this initiative wipes out that stigma"
"The health statistics in Glasgow don't bear repeating and this may go some way to redressing the legacy of ill health that Scotlands biggest city has been left with"
"The North of Glasgow in particular has a problem with diet and if we can instil healthy eating habits at a young age, hopefully that will last for a lifetime"
Speaking today, Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt said: "This is about more than school meals. It's part of our wider aim to improve the nation's health and increase the quality of life for families and communities.
"The pilots will show us the impact universal free school meals have on children's health as we shape our policy on improving nutrition, as well as how schools cope with implementing them.
"We hope these good lifestyle habits will stay with them as they grow up. Early intervention is a hallmark of our approach to young people and this is just the start of our work to make children healthier."
Glasgow SNP Council Group leader John Mason added: "On behalf of the SNP group I am delighted that Glasgow has been chosen"
"Glasgow pupils already benefit from free fruit in primary one and two but the £1,300,000 provided by the Scottish Government means more healthy food will be available for the children who need it most" |
