Proposed Regulations to Support Next Phase of Rollout
Families could get quicker access to free school meals under proposed new regulations laid in Parliament.
If agreed by MSPs, the regulations would see Social Security Scotland given new powers, allowing them to share Scottish Child Payment data with local authorities. This would allow councils to ensure eligible pupils receive their free school meals.
The latest phase of the free school meals programme will include all pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment in Primaries 6 to 7 and S1-S3 in eight local authority areas.
Under the SNP Scottish Governmentās free school meal expansion, over 273,000 pupils receive free school meals, saving families around Ā£400 per child each year. The latest phase of the programme would see a further 25,000 pupils receive free school meals.
Free school meals are a crucial element of the Scottish Governmentās ambition to eradicate child poverty, and the provision is currently available to over 273,000 pupils across Scotland, saving families who take up the offer around Ā£400 per child per year.
EDUCATION SECRETARY JENNY GILRUTH
The next phase of the rollout will significantly build upon this, with an additional 25,000 pupils being able to benefit from this vital provision. Through further support for data sharing, local authorities will be able to more quickly identify those eligible for this next phase.
That is why we have proposed these changes to streamline the process to help more families and remove any administrative burden for local authorities. I would encourage members of the Committee to back these proposals to ensure more families can easily access the support they need.
The Education, Children and Young People will vote on the regulations on Wednesday 2 April. If approved, they will come into effect from 19 May 2025.
