Thousands have empty stomachs

BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP ROSS GREER

- BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP ROSS GREER

School dinners First Minister John Swinney is being urged to expand provision

This is one of the wealthiest countries in history but there are still thousands of Scottish children sitting in class with empty stomachs because of poverty.

Pupils can’t learn when they are hungry which is why free school meals are so important.

They are one of the simplest and most effective ways we can tackle child poverty, eradicate hunger and boost achievement in school.

That is why I have called for next year’s Scottish Government budget to include free school meals for tens of thousands more young people.

Last year, the Scottish Greens secured the expansion of free school meals to an extra 6,000 children in P6 and P7 who receive the Scottish Child Payment (SCP).