CHILDREN going hungry during the school holidays is a “significant human rights issue for Scotland”, the new commissioner for children and young people has said.

Bruce Adamson called on the Scottish and UK governments to gather accurate data on the extent of the problem.

Ahead of a visit to a Dundee food bank tomorrow, the commissioner praised schemes aimed at helping children stay well fed over the summer, such as primary school clubs across Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire and a summer holiday meals scheme in Dundee.

But he said holiday hunger should be eradicated.

“While these schemes provide a vital safety net, we need to see holiday hunger within the broader context of poverty and food insecurity," he said. "The issue is not just about food. Holiday hunger and child poverty is a significant children’s rights issue in Scotland.

“Children have a right to be free from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.”