More than 6,000 high school pupils will be eligible for free
school meals from the beginning of the next school year, further
supporting the Scottish Government's national mission to
eradicate child poverty.
This trial phase of the free school meals programme will see S1
to S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, who attend
selected schools in eight local authority areas, receive a
nutritious and healthy meal. This takes the number of pupils
being offered free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000.
An investment of £3 million will support almost 60 schools across
eight proposed areas of Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar,
Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South
Lanarkshire from August 2025.
First Minister made the announcement during a
visit to Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where 140 more pupils
could benefit.
The First Minister said:
“The free school meals programme is key in our national mission
to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the
offer around £450 per eligible child per year. This next phase of
the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more
families across the country.
“We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and
nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in
school. This demonstrates how important the programme is in our
efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland,
ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in
education regardless of their background.
“The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support
to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million
School Uniform Clothing Grant and our investment in the £1
billion Scottish Attainment Challenge.”
Background
Local authorities put forward schools that already have the
capacity in place to deliver additional meals to take part in the
trial. The Scottish Government will continue to work with them in
the coming weeks to establish the trial approach.
The trial phase will be independently reviewed and will aid
future development of any further phases of the free school meal
programme.
