Hyslop Welcomes Free School Meals for All West Lothian P1-3s

HYSLOP WELCOMES FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL WEST LOTHIAN P1-3s

FAMILIES WILL SAVE £330 FOR EACH CHILD AS SCHOOLS GO BACK ON THURSDAY

Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s initiative to allow free school meals to all Primary 1-3s across Primary Schools in West Lothian.

The move – which is being provided nationally with £70.5m in revenue funding and £24.8m in additional capital funding by the Scottish Government – will provide P1-P3 children with guaranteed access to a healthy, nutritious meal and could positively shape children’s eating habits for the rest of their lives.

Fiona Hyslop was the Education Secretary who piloted Free school meals in Fife, Glasgow and The Borders.

Commenting, Fiona Hyslop said;

“Free School Meals will be welcome news for families across West Lothian. As well as the health and nutritional benefits, this will also save hard pressed families £330 every year for each eligible child.

“We all know that the early years of a child’s life are the most crucial and can shape their habits for a lifetime – so ensuring our children have access to a healthy lunch could see real improvements in Scotland’s public health in the future.

“As the MSP who developed the SNP policy and the Government Minister responsible for piloting the initiative in 2008/9, I am pleased to see this being rolled out across the country now that the SNP has a majority at Holyrood.”