Scottish ministers ditch universal free school meal pledge

The Scottish government has ditched an unfulfilled commitment to expand free school meals to all primary school pupils.

The promise to expand eligibility to all pupils in primary six and seven was made in last year’s programme for government.

This year’s document says funding will be targeted at expanding the benefit only to P6 and P7 pupils whose families are in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

A Scottish government source said the intention remained to expand the policy to all pupils when financial circumstances allowed, although the source was unable to say when that might happen.

Opposition leaders accused the first minister of being “out of ideas”.

John Swinney said his first programme for government – which came a day after his finance secretary announced £500m of cuts – showed his commitment to eradicating child poverty.

Although Mr Swinney said his administration was facing “incredibly challenging” financial conditions, he vowed to invest £1bn in childcare, reduce NHS backlogs and deliver public service reform.

The programme for government included a pledge to extend free school meals – which are provided for all pupils in P1 to P5 – to P6 and P7 youngsters who receive the Scottish Child Payment.

However, in last year’s announcement – made by then first minister Humza Yousaf – the government had said it was aiming for a “universal” rollout of the benefit.

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer said the government had made the wrong choice by dropping the commitment, while STUC general secretary Roz Foyer called it a “complete betrayal”.

Mr Swinney – announcing his first programme for government since becoming first minister in May – reiterated child poverty was the government’s top priority.

He also said his administration would aim to build prosperity, improve public services and protect the planet.

The SNP leader U-turned on a cut to arts funding, pledged new rent controls to protects tenants and vowed to strengthen the ministerial code.

He said the government’s proposals would be “affordable, impactful and deliverable”.

“Together, they reflect my optimism, that even though we face an incredibly challenging set of circumstances at this moment, the inherent strengths of Scotland, our people and our communities, can create great possibilities for our country,” Mr Swinney told MSPs.

The government announced it would introduce 14 new bills – including proposed legislation on climate change, building safety, misogyny, the natural environment and education reform.

Mr Swinney said “difficult decisions” had to be made due to UK government austerity and “sky-high” inflation.

The first minister announced plans to improve whole-family support by ensuring ensure there was more local flexibility for those in need.

Other plans include 210,000 more outpatient appointments and 20,000 more orthopaedic, ophthalmology and surgery appointments within the NHS.

Mr Swinney also promised faster planning decisions for renewable energy projects.

The government has announced a series of cuts in recent weeks, with Finance Secretary Shona Robison telling MSPs there was an almost £1bn black hole in public finances as it reallocates funds to pay for public sector pay deals.

Ministers had faced a backlash from artists – including some of the country’s top musicians – after Creative Scotland announced a major fund would be closed to new applications due to uncertainty over government cash.

But Mr Swinney told parliament the arts body would receive the cash it needs to continue the Open Fund for Individuals.

It followed criticism from performers including Franz Ferdinand and Lewis Capaldi.

Mr Swinney also pledged to overhaul the rules which govern the conduct of ministers.

The early part of the first minister’s reign was marred by a scandal surrounding former health secretary Michael Matheson, who was given a record Holyrood sanction after racking up an £11,000 bill on a parliamentary iPad while on a family holiday.

Mr Swinney said the ministerial code, which is to be published by the end of the year, will allow independent advisers to initiate investigations into the conduct of ministers, as opposed to requiring the first minister to call for a probe.

“I want my government to set the highest standard of propriety and integrity,” the SNP leader said.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross described the announcement as “a list of empty platitudes by an SNP government that is out of ideas and out of money”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it was “out of ideas to deal with the crisis Scots face”.

Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said: “By slashing public spending, particularly on our journey to net zero, the SNP are selling out our future.

“It is a betrayal of the green change that we need and an abdication of our responsibility to tackle the climate emergency.”

The government has also faced criticism from LGBTQ+ groups for altering its commitment to end conversion practices.

A public consultation on laws to ban conversion therapy for sexuality or gender was held earlier this year.

Holyrood ministers said they wanted to “lead the way” on a ban after the former Conservative UK government had not acted on a pledge made five years earlier to end the practice.

But in this year’s programme for government, ministers said they aimed to progress commitments to end conversion practices “should a UK-wide approach not be achievable”.

Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson, Maggie Chapman MSP said: “These brutal and inhumane practices have no place in a modern or inclusive Scotland.

“For three years, the SNP has been promising people that a comprehensive Scottish ban would be introduced and many will be devastated that they are going back on their word and kicking the can further down the road.