ALBA demands First Minister write off meals debt - "Families need help now" says Hanvey

ALBA Westminster Leader Neale Hanvey MP has today (Saturday)  called on First Minister Humza Yousaf MSP to write off the debt of parents who cannot afford to pay for their children’s school meals.

Speaking at the ALBA Conference in Inverness Neale Hanvey MP said:

“Too many families, either because they are reliant on benefits or face in-work poverty, are unable to provide the basics, as we have seen with the explosion in the need for foodbanks as families struggle to contain their own costs. 

“But we are also seeing families unable to pay for school meals as sky high energy costs and rising food prices bite. 

“At the moment in Scotland £1,356,540.35 is owed to Councils for school meals debt.  That debt must be written off and help provided to those families who need it.

“Families across Scotland need help now which is why today I am calling on Humza Yousaf to write off the school meals debt for those families who cannot afford to pay.

“The First Minister questions the need for universalism based on his own prosperity but it is universal entitlement which defines a civilised wellbeing society.  That is why ALBA is keeping up the pressure on Humza Yousaf to write off the school meals debt for 20,000 Scots bairns and  to roll our free school meals for all school children in Scotland.”