AN EXPANSION of free school meals in Scotland has helped to feed more than 230,000 children during the cost-of-living crisis, according to a Borders MSP.
The Scottish Government expanded entitlement to all children in P1 to P5 this year.
There are also plans to extend free school meals for P6 and P7 youngsters in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
The latest figures show increased uptake of free meals across primary, secondary and special schools from 49.9 per cent in 2022 to 53.4 per cent in 2023.
Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame, of the SNP, said: “Scotland has the most comprehensive offer of free school meals of any nation in the UK.
“These statistics underline how action from this SNP Scottish Government is delivering for children and their families across the Borders by easing pressure on household budgets and making sure more children have access to a healthy, nutritious meal.”
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