Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader and Scottish Co-operative Party candidate, has announced a plan for free meals for all school pupils during the summer holidays through the creation of summer catch-up clubs.

 

The summer catch-up club policy would be available to all primary and secondary pupils, and so would potentially benefit around 700,000 children currently enrolled in Scotland’s education system.

 

Around a quarter of children in Scotland live in relative poverty and holiday hunger remains a serious issue.

 

The SNP has only committed to providing free school meals to primary school pupils during the summer holidays.

 

Anas Sarwar said his ambitious policy would strike a blow against holiday hunger and child poverty, and give older pupils the same opportunities as their younger counterparts to access the support they need to recover from the pandemic and enjoy summer.

 

Anas Sarwar said:

 

“This pandemic has thrown the existing inequalities in our society into sharp relief.”

 

“Around a quarter of children in Scotland live in relative poverty – that is a scandal.”

 

“And we know that while many children continue to enjoy daily nutritional meals throughout the summer, many are left to go hungry.”

 

“By introducing summer meal clubs for all of Scotland’s school pupils, Scottish Labour will put the fight against child poverty and holiday hunger at the heart of our National Recovery Plan.”

 

“We cannot, and we must not, return to the old inequalities after this pandemic.”

 

“This ambitious policy can ensure that no child goes hungry over the summer holidays.”