We will not change tack on free school meals after Holyrood vote, vows Forbes

The Scottish Government will not change tack on its decision to scrap the expansion of free school meals even if it is defeated in a Holyrood vote on the issue, Kate Forbes has said.

With the SNP facing a likely defeat in the Scottish Parliament vote on Wednesday afternoon, the Deputy First Minister said the financial situation means it is not currently possibly to deliver universal free school meals.

John Swinney’s first Programme for Government last week rolled back on a commitment to universal free school meals which was pledged in the SNP manifesto at the 2021 Holyrood election.

Instead of universal provision, the rollout will only reach primary six and seven pupils whose families are in receipt of the Scottish child payment.

A non-binding debate will take place on the issue at Holyrood on Wednesday, with a Conservative motion calling for the expansion to include all primary school children “as promised”.

As the SNP does not have a parliamentary majority, the Government will likely be defeated in the vote which follows the debate.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the vote, Ms Forbes was asked whether defeat for the Government will see it change tack.

She said: “We have been very clear about our financial constraints right across the Scottish Government’s policy agenda.

“All parts of Government are working at trying to reduce costs in order to stay within the budget that has been handed down to us by the UK Government, but also to meet the additional pay pressures.

“And that is what we will do.”

She said there will be greater clarity about the Scottish Government’s financial position after the UK Budget in October.

Ms Forbes continued: “None of us want to be in the position of reducing our costs. None of us want to do that.

“We’ve been very clear in our policy prospective, we’re still committed to rolling out free school meals.

“But at the moment the budget does not allow us to deliver universality.”

The Deputy First Minister was speaking during a visit to Flowcopter, a Midlothian company building heavy-lift drones which can be used by the wind farm industry.

The visit was part of the Government’s launch of its Green Industrial Strategy on Wednesday.

Ms Forbes also confirmed the Government’s work on financial bonds – something first pledged by former first minister Humza Yousaf – is continuing.