Scotland extends free meals scheme
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Scotland's free school meals trial is to be extended until the end of the current school year, children's minister Adam Ingram has announced.
The trial was due to end in March but has now been extended to allow researchers more time to evaluate the scheme's impact on school life and children's health.
Ingram said: "We will then be in a position to say how and when many more children in Scotland will be able to benefit from the free, healthy and nutritious lunches currently enjoyed by children."
The trial is taking place in five areas: the Borders; East Ayrshire; Fife; Glasgow; and West Dunbartonshire. It applies to all primary pupils in years one to three in these areas.
If the pilot is successful, free school meals could be made available to all primary one-to-three pupils across Scotland. The scheme has cost the Scottish Government £5m so far.
