Scottish Labour to pledge free school meals for all
Richard Leonard is unveiling the party's manifesto in Glasgow
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard will announce plans at his party's manifesto launch to give all primary and secondary pupils in Scotland free school meals.
He is expected to reveal the move, which is estimated to cost an extra £215 million on what is currently being spent, in Glasgow on Friday.
Mr Leonard is also set to pledge meals for all pupils during the summer holidays, at a cost of around £41 million.
The party has conducted a number of trials in the Labour-led North Lanarkshire Council area, which showed access to free school meals increased health and academic attainment.
Mr Leonard is expected to say: “It cannot be right that in the fifth biggest economy in the world, one in every four children in Scotland is living in poverty.
“After a decade of Tory austerity and SNP complacency, it is time for real and radical change.
“For too long, many kids from the most impoverished families have gone to school hungry and been automatically disadvantaged simply due to their family's economic circumstances.”
He will add: “But it's not enough to only provide free school meals to those on low incomes.
“We need a plan that tackles the stigma that can prevent some children accessing free meals and the barriers that we know eligibility and registration create.
“That is why I am proud to announce today that a UK Labour Government will provide the funds for a free meal for every child 365 days a year, regardless of their social and economic backgrounds.
“Children should not be put in a position where they are left behind through no fault of their own and through no fault of their family.
“Scottish Labour will end the scourge of child poverty once and for all.”
The party estimates a total of £310 million would need to be spent on meals provision to ensure every child would have access, a £190 million increase from the current spend.
The document will also outline a £25 million capital spend on school infrastructure to facilitate the meals.
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