Scottish Government to write off school meals debt
The move, which follows years of research and campaigning on school meal debt by Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, was confirmed by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth yesterday (18th December). The total school meal debt is reported to be over £1m.
Mr Greer, commented: “We know that young people struggle in school if they’re hungry or stressed by their family being chased for money they cannot afford to pay, so I’m delighted the First Minister has agreed to Scottish Greens proposals to wipe out this debt.
“Not only has chasing this debt caused anxiety and embarrassment for students and their families, but I have spoken to school staff who hate being put in the position of asking pupils for money they know the family does not have. This is another important step being taken by the Scottish Government to protect children from Westminster’s cost of living crisis.
“With Greens in Government we are proud that 90,000 children in Scotland are being lifted out of poverty through policies like the £25 per week Scottish Child Payment, free bus travel for young people and requirements for Government contractors to pay decent wages.”