Scottish Labour today reiterated calls for the Scottish government to fully fund their free school meals policy.

Today’s School Meals figures show that in 2007-08, local authorities spent £129 million preparing 54.2 million meals, compared to £119 million preparing 53.5 million meals in 2006-07. This increase of £10 million will be dwarfed by bigger increases when free school meals are provided to all P1-P3 children.

Previously more than twenty councils submitted evidence to Holyrood's Education Committee confirming that they can't afford to pay for the SNP's free school meals policy.

Shadow Children’s minister Karen Whitefield said:

"These new figures show the size of the challenge for local authorities to pay for free school meals.

"This increase of £10m over one year will mean that the overwhelming majority of Scottish councils cannot afford to deliver free school meals for five to seven year olds without additional resources.

"The SNP's poor budget settlement means that Scottish local authorities are already being forced to make cut backs in education provision.

"It is irresponsible of SNP ministers to heap yet more responsibilities on local councils without providing the money to pay for them."

23/06/2009