Labour MSP’s sweary put down to free school meal plan opposition from Greens

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A bitter row has broken out over plans to give every pupil free school meals as a response to the cost of living crisis.Scottish Labour and the Tories are trying to amend a Bill so that all pupils can access breakfast and other meals.

But the Scottish Greens, who are part of the Government, have claimed the proposals would require £24m of public funds to be spent in “elite private schools”.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon, one of the champions of the roll out, said: “This is utter bullshit from the Scottish Greens.” Free school meals are provided to all children in primary years one to five - but charges apply to older kids unless their parents are on benefits or low incomes.

Planned changes to the Good Food Nation Bill, which is being voted on next week, would expand the entitlement.Tory Rachael Hamilton has tabled an amendment for the delivery of free breakfasts, while Lennon has submitted a plan for “universal free school meals for all children and young people”.In practice, this would roll out free meals to older primary school children and secondary age pupils.However, if the amendments are to succeed they require support from the SNP/Green Government, and the junior partner in the administration has flagged up concerns.Greer, who helped negotiate the partnership agreement with the SNP, said the amendments are badly drafted and could end up subsidising wealthy families.He said: “Between them, Labour and the Tories have proposed that up to £24 million of public money be spent each year providing free meals to pupils at elite private schools.