Scots councils face calls to scrap £1million debt for unpaid school dinners as sum owed linked to rising child poverty
COUNCILS have faced calls to cancel more than £1million of debt for unpaid school dinners.
The Greens made the demand as they linked the sum owed by Scots parents to rising child poverty which sees one in four youngsters living below the breadline.
MSP Ross Greer said: “Kids are going hungry and means-tested free meals miss out far too many families who need them.
“This astonishing mountain of arrears, which clearly isn’t going to be paid off in most cases, must be written off immediately.”
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A survey by the party found outstanding bills totalled £1,168,755 with seven out of 32 local authorities failing to supply information.
The largest declared amount due is £434,545 owed to Aberdeen council.
P1 to P3 kids get free lunches. Those from households on benefits continue to get them if registered.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Free meals can save £400 per child a year as part of our £1.4billion support for low-income families.
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“Those facing financial difficulty who don’t meet national eligibility criteria can speak to their council to access advice and assistance.”
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