Local SNP MSP hits out at Scottish Tory leader for failing to support free school meals

Strathkelvin and Bearsden SNP MSP Rona Mackay said: “On Wednesday, Tory MPs voted to reject a plan to extend free meals during school breaks. They argued it was not the job of schools to ‘regularly provide food during the school holidays’.”

This is in contrast to the Scottish government - more than 2,547 children across East Dunbartonshire, she said will benefit from extra funding to extend free school meals over the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Ms Mackay slammed the Conservatives in Scotland, saying: “No Scottish Tory MP voted to support the plan, despite recent indications from new Scottish party leader Douglas Ross that he wishes to end the Tories’ opposition to free school meals provision.”

Douglas Ross, who became Scottish Tory leader in July this year after Jackson Carlaw stood down, is currently MP for Moray at Westminster.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay added: “Many families in East Dunbartonshire are under considerable financial pressure at this time, and with less than two weeks until the UK government prematurely shuts down the furlough scheme, that’s unfortunately only set to get worse.“

She said £10 million has been made available by the SNP Government so that councils can continue providing free school meals through the winter breaks with future funding confirmed to extend support over Easter.

Ms Mackay added: “This important investment will support around 2,547 children and young people in East Dunbartonshire, helping families meet the cost of meals over Christmas, February and Easter holidays.

“The Scottish Government’s decision to extend the free school meals scheme will be a great relief for many hard-pressed parents.

“The Tories at Westminster had an opportunity to support thousands of families worrying about how they will put food on the table in the weeks ahead, but they refused to do so.

“It’s clear that Westminster has a lot to learn from the SNP’s approach to tackling food insecurity and building a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect.”