This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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School meals statistics
30/06/2003
School meals are in better shape than ever before and
helping to create a healthy nation, Education Minister
Peter Peacock said today.
The Minister was commenting on the latest school meals
statistical report which reveals that more children are
taking school meals.
The figures show:
- More than 50 per cent of pupils take school meals,
a figure which has been rising since 1999
- 18.8 per cent of pupils were entitled to free
school meals in January 2003, a decline of 3 per cent
since 1998
Mr Peacock said:
"We are determined to improve both the quality and take
up of school meals and the increase in children eating
school meals shows that we are on the right track. By
enticing pupils with delicious food we will give children a
chance to develop a taste for nutritious food.
"These figures also clearly show that the measures we
are taking to combat poverty are working. People's incomes
are improving and that is why fewer children are eligible
for free school meals.
"But we are not complacent - we will leave no stone
unturned to ensure that children don't miss out on a
healthy start in life. I want as many children as possible
to reap the benefits of school meals and this year, as well
as investing an extra #63 million, we will publish an
information leaflet for all parents.
"Providing universal free school meals will not improve
the diet of Scotland's children. Tasty food, served in a
pleasant environment, is what's needed to encourage
children to take their lunch at school, instead of eating
junk food."
A package of improvements, backed by an additional £63.5
million from the Scottish Budget 2003-2006, was announced
in February to drive up nutritional standards, improve
child health and learning and tackle child poverty.
The measures flow from the recommendations of the Expert
Panel on School Meals, which were published in its final
report Hungry for Success.