Free school meals in Glasgow extended to P6 and P7 children receiving Scottish Child Payment

More children are set to get free school meals in Glasgow as the scheme expands for certain families.

Parents whose P6 and P7 children receive the recently extended £25 Scottish Child Payment benefit will be entitled to free lunch time food.

The council is set to receive Scottish Government Funding of £2.2m from April 1 for the year ahead to pay for the extra dinners.

The exact date of roll out during the year has not been confirmed.

It is predicted around 20,000 additional children around Scotland will benefit from getting the meals.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Universal free school meals are available for all pupils in primaries one to five, and in special schools – the best universal provision anywhere in the UK, and saving parents around £400 per eligible child per year.

“Our additional investment announced in the 2023 to 2024 Budget will continue to fund the expansion of free school meals for all Primary 6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment. This will be the next step in fulfilling our commitment to universal provision in primary schools.

“We will work in partnership with local government to deliver our shared commitment.”

Scottish Child Payment is a £25 weekly benefit for every child aged under 16 for low income families. Parents or carers are eligible if they get certain benefits.

More information and details on how to apply for the Scottish Child Payment are available at: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.