ACROSS the UK child poverty and child hunger has been moved up the political agenda – thanks in no small part to the tireless efforts of campaigners the length and breadth of the UK.
However, the Tories seem intent on continuing to punish the poorest in society. In the past few weeks, we’ve watched the UK Government hike National Insurance, cut Universal Credit and end furlough. On top of this, a fuel crisis means that this winter families could face a choice between heating their homes and feeding their children.
This cost-of-living crisis comes on the back of years of Tory austerity – the effects of which have only been magnified by the pandemic.
New research from the leading school food charity Magic Breakfast shows that in schools across the UK teachers have witnessed an increase in the numbers of pupils experiencing poverty and, heartbreakingly, going hungry. We cannot allow that to stand.
In Scotland, the SNP-led administration is using the powers at its disposal to tackle child poverty, and child hunger, by committing to a package of measures that give our children the very best start in life.
The Scottish Government has introduced the new Scottish Child Payment, providing low-income families with an additional £40 every four weeks – initially for each child under six. By the end of 2022, this will be rolled out to all under-16s from low-income families and doubled to £80 per month by the end of this parliamentary term. This will help up to 450,000 children across Scotland.
We know that school breakfasts and lunches boost children’s energy, concentration and behaviour, which leads to improvements in academic attainment. The SNP, in government, has already rolled out free school meals to primaries one to three.
Throughout the pandemic the Scottish Government has offered additional help to low-income families – part of that support is providing free school meals in the holidays. That’s because hunger doesn’t take a holiday – and neither should we.
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, we pledged to go further, with a commitment to provide free school breakfasts and lunches to every primary school pupil in Scotland and for children in special schools in Scotland – all year round.
Within the first 100 days of the new parliamentary term, the SNP-led Scottish Government has already reached agreement with local authorities to introduce universal free school lunches for primary four and five children, building on existing provision for pupils in primaries one to three. As a next step, from August 2022, all primary school pupils will benefit from free school lunches.
The contrast with the Tory government in Westminster could not be starker. This Wednesday the Chancellor will get to his feet and deliver his budget. We can be certain it won’t go nearly far enough to support communities crying out for help.
Children deserve better than more years of Westminster austerity. Rishi Sunak (above) has a chance to commit to a barrier-free and hunger-focused breakfast and lunch provision for children in England. It makes sense academically. It makes sense economically. It’s one of the best investments a government can make.
And, above all else, it is the right thing to do. It is my hope that Rishi Sunak takes heed, follows the Scottish Government’s lead and does the right thing by children in England.
Carol Monaghan (below) is the SNP’s Westminster shadow education secretary
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel