Free school meals
In January 2015 we began funding free school meals for all children in primary 1 to primary 3 in local authority schools across Scotland, to help ensure every child has the best possible start in life.
We have given local authorities funding to continue delivering the policy, building on the revenue funding already provided since this policy was first introduced. We also provided local authorities with £24.8 million of capital funding to support implementation ahead of this policy coming into effect.
The latest figures on the uptake of school meals in Scottish schools is available on the statistics section of our site.
This is an extension to the previous policy of offering free school meals to children and young people aged from five to 18 whose families are on low incomes and/or receiving in receipt of qualifying certain benefits.