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| Free school meals for primary one to three pupils in Scotland | Free school meals for primary one to three pupils in Scotland |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| All school children from primary one to three are now entitled to a free school meal, the Scottish government has announced. | All school children from primary one to three are now entitled to a free school meal, the Scottish government has announced. |
| The £95m initiative covering state schools is expected to save families at least £330 a year. | |
| SNP MSP George Adam said of Monday's roll-out: "That all P1-P3 children will be entitled to a free school meal is a major step forward," | SNP MSP George Adam said of Monday's roll-out: "That all P1-P3 children will be entitled to a free school meal is a major step forward," |
| The policy has been supported by unions and poverty campaigners. | |
| Mr Adam said the policy - for 135,000 children - would benefit pupils and their families alike. | Mr Adam said the policy - for 135,000 children - would benefit pupils and their families alike. |
| Universal benefit? | Universal benefit? |
| Jamie McIvor, education correspondent | Jamie McIvor, education correspondent |
| The move enjoys broad support within Scotland but some are bound to wonder whether providing free meals to children from comfortably off families - and not just to those from families who will notice the saving - is really the best use of scarce resources. | The move enjoys broad support within Scotland but some are bound to wonder whether providing free meals to children from comfortably off families - and not just to those from families who will notice the saving - is really the best use of scarce resources. |
| This touches on the wider debate about so-called universal benefits - whether money should be targeted only at those who need a service the most or spent providing a service which is free at the point of use for all who want it. | This touches on the wider debate about so-called universal benefits - whether money should be targeted only at those who need a service the most or spent providing a service which is free at the point of use for all who want it. |
| The same broad argument covers issues as diverse as free bus travel for pensioners and the abolition of prescription charges four years ago. | The same broad argument covers issues as diverse as free bus travel for pensioners and the abolition of prescription charges four years ago. |
| The challenge is to demonstrate to sceptics that there is a benefit to society as a whole from the policy. | The challenge is to demonstrate to sceptics that there is a benefit to society as a whole from the policy. |
| One argument for extending free school meals was that it would abolish any stigma for children from low income families. | One argument for extending free school meals was that it would abolish any stigma for children from low income families. |
| In practice, cashless payment systems have helped to do this already and the debate has moved into other areas, especially the benefits to public health and children's education. | In practice, cashless payment systems have helped to do this already and the debate has moved into other areas, especially the benefits to public health and children's education. |
| Supporters argue that children with a regular healthy meal were more likely to be able to concentrate, get better academic results and were less likely to be obese. | Supporters argue that children with a regular healthy meal were more likely to be able to concentrate, get better academic results and were less likely to be obese. |
| The government is giving councils extra money to help cover the cost of the extra free meals. | The government is giving councils extra money to help cover the cost of the extra free meals. |
| But as the money is not ring-fenced, critics will be watching closely to make sure the cash actually goes on the meals. Their fear would be that free meals either prove a drain on other parts of the local budget - or that the commitment is met in letter but not in spirit with some of the money going elsewhere. | But as the money is not ring-fenced, critics will be watching closely to make sure the cash actually goes on the meals. Their fear would be that free meals either prove a drain on other parts of the local budget - or that the commitment is met in letter but not in spirit with some of the money going elsewhere. |
| Mr Adam added: "We all know that the early years of a child's life are the most crucial and can shape their habits for a lifetime - so ensuring our children have access to a healthy lunch could see real improvements in Scotland's public health in the future. | Mr Adam added: "We all know that the early years of a child's life are the most crucial and can shape their habits for a lifetime - so ensuring our children have access to a healthy lunch could see real improvements in Scotland's public health in the future. |
| "Ensuring the youngest pupils in our schools have access to healthy and nutritious lunches can also play an important role in improving attainment and helping pupils to achieve their best in class. | "Ensuring the youngest pupils in our schools have access to healthy and nutritious lunches can also play an important role in improving attainment and helping pupils to achieve their best in class. |
| "As well as helping our children to be healthier and achieve more in school, this policy will also provide a real boost to family budgets in tough financial times - with families benefiting to the tune of £330 per year for every eligible child." | "As well as helping our children to be healthier and achieve more in school, this policy will also provide a real boost to family budgets in tough financial times - with families benefiting to the tune of £330 per year for every eligible child." |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The new year will set off to a great start for the 135,000 pupils who will benefit from a healthy and nourishing free school meal each and every day of the school week. | Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The new year will set off to a great start for the 135,000 pupils who will benefit from a healthy and nourishing free school meal each and every day of the school week. |
| "This move, delivered as a result of Liberal Democrats in the UK government, will put more money back in parents' pockets and give kids a healthy lunch in the social environment of the school canteen." | "This move, delivered as a result of Liberal Democrats in the UK government, will put more money back in parents' pockets and give kids a healthy lunch in the social environment of the school canteen." |