Written Question · S1W-28158 · Session 1
Further to the answer to question S1W-26001 by Nicol Stephen on 24 July 2002, what consideration the Expert Panel on School Meals gave to e…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26001 by Nicol Stephen on 24 July 2002, what consideration the Expert Panel on School Meals gave to extending eligibility for free school meals to children from low income families and to the evidence of the Child Poverty Action Group, One Plus, National Children's Homes and other anti-poverty groups and children-based charities that 80,000 children are not eligible; what figures for children not eligible the panel considered and what input it had in the panel's consideration.
The answer
The remit of the Expert Panel on School Meals was to provide costed recommendations and a fully developed implementation strategy to establish standards for the nutritional content of school meals; to improve the presentation of school meals to improve general take up, and to eliminate any stigma attached to taking free school meals.While outwith their remit, entitlement to free school meals was one of a number of additional issues considered by the panel. They took the view that the Scottish Executive should examine how families are informed about eligibility to free school meals and also the eligibility criteria to ensure that families and young people do not fall through a gap. They also took the view that the Scottish Executive should reassure themselves that the criteria for eligibility remain appropriate.The panel's interim report is currently the subject of consultation, with a deadline for responses of 11 October 2002. The panel will then consider responses before submitting a final report to ministers.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-28158 by reference.