University research endorses free school meals

The policy of free school meals for all Scottish schoolchildren has been endorsed by academics from the department of economics, who believe that adopting a universal policy would have a beneficial impact upon Scotland’s poorest families. The research paper was presented to the Scottish Economic Society Conference and welcomed by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

Carlo Morelli and Paul Seaman have been investigating the economic and social impact of universally available free school meals. While their research indicates that there would be a cost to the executive of around £170 million a year, they maintain that the price would be worth paying because of the positive impact it would have upon Scotland's poorest families.

Some 100,000 Scottish children live in poverty and, according to the CPAG, many are either ineligible for free school meals or do not claim them. The research revealed that rules determining eligibility for free school meals are so arbitrary that universal provision would be the most effective way to help those who need it most.

According to Carlo and Paul, for 90% of families with children, free school meals would promote greater equality and most benefit the poorest, while many of the wealthiest 10% send their children to private school. The findings also indicate that the administration costs and stigma attached to the current policy of targeting certain groups, limit its effectiveness.

Carlo said, "It is hard to conclude that the current system represents anything other than a wholly inadequate method of reducing child poverty."

John Dickie, Head of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said, "This research blows a massive hole in the argument against providing free school meals to all Scottish children."