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| Year-round meals plan to tackle 'holiday hunger' of school pupils | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A Scottish council is planning to provide school meals 365 days a year to children from low income families. | A Scottish council is planning to provide school meals 365 days a year to children from low income families. |
| North Lanarkshire Council said its proposal would help tackle "holiday hunger". | North Lanarkshire Council said its proposal would help tackle "holiday hunger". |
| The "Food 365" programme would cover the 175 days of the year when lunches are not served in school. | The "Food 365" programme would cover the 175 days of the year when lunches are not served in school. |
| If approved, the council will run a pilot project in the spring break and could then extend the scheme over the summer holidays. | |
| Frank McNally, convener of education, said: "These proposals to tackle weekend and holiday hunger are the most ambitious in the country. | Frank McNally, convener of education, said: "These proposals to tackle weekend and holiday hunger are the most ambitious in the country. |
| 'Parents skip meals' | 'Parents skip meals' |
| "Groups like the Trussell Trust are struggling to cope with demand from parents and research has suggested that pressure on food banks doubles during the holidays. | "Groups like the Trussell Trust are struggling to cope with demand from parents and research has suggested that pressure on food banks doubles during the holidays. |
| "North Lanarkshire has one of the highest concentrations of deprivation in the country and this is only going to be exacerbated by further welfare reforms." | "North Lanarkshire has one of the highest concentrations of deprivation in the country and this is only going to be exacerbated by further welfare reforms." |
| The council cited national research which suggests that almost a third of parents with incomes under £25,000 skip meals during the school holidays so that their children can eat, and nearly two thirds are not always able to afford food outside of term time. | The council cited national research which suggests that almost a third of parents with incomes under £25,000 skip meals during the school holidays so that their children can eat, and nearly two thirds are not always able to afford food outside of term time. |
| This rises to half and three-quarters respectively for parents with incomes under £15,000. | This rises to half and three-quarters respectively for parents with incomes under £15,000. |
| In a survey carried out by the National Union of Teachers in England, 80% of teachers noted a rise in "holiday hunger" where children return from holidays suffering from poor nutrition. | In a survey carried out by the National Union of Teachers in England, 80% of teachers noted a rise in "holiday hunger" where children return from holidays suffering from poor nutrition. |
| Almost three-quarters of teachers said this was negatively affecting children's education. | Almost three-quarters of teachers said this was negatively affecting children's education. |
| While some councils in the UK have committed to holiday programmes, these do not include weekends. North Lanarkshire Council said its scheme would be the most comprehensive in the country. | While some councils in the UK have committed to holiday programmes, these do not include weekends. North Lanarkshire Council said its scheme would be the most comprehensive in the country. |
| Mr McNally continued: "A good diet plays a key role in healthy growth and development, supporting learning and social skills and sets a positive habit to be continued later in life. | Mr McNally continued: "A good diet plays a key role in healthy growth and development, supporting learning and social skills and sets a positive habit to be continued later in life. |
| 'High levels of deprivation' | 'High levels of deprivation' |
| "Our plans will do much to promote healthy eating and address some of the symptoms of poverty for children who need it most." | "Our plans will do much to promote healthy eating and address some of the symptoms of poverty for children who need it most." |
| North Lanarkshire is one of the nine "challenge authorities" in Scotland with the highest levels of deprivation. Nearly 21% of children live in low income households. | North Lanarkshire is one of the nine "challenge authorities" in Scotland with the highest levels of deprivation. Nearly 21% of children live in low income households. |
| If the pilot is successful, the programme would be delivered in 23 "hubs" across the authority area, usually in community facilities. | If the pilot is successful, the programme would be delivered in 23 "hubs" across the authority area, usually in community facilities. |
| Based on demand for other previous holiday initiatives, the cost is estimated to be £500,000. | Based on demand for other previous holiday initiatives, the cost is estimated to be £500,000. |
| The proposals will be discussed by councillors at a meeting of the education committee on 20 February. | The proposals will be discussed by councillors at a meeting of the education committee on 20 February. |