BY SARAH PEART
GLASGOW — The latest report released by the National Child Helpline (NCH) Scotland on January 22 shows that 310,000 children (42%) across Scotland are living in poverty. It also shows that nearly half of all children live in families on income support.
Other statistics contained in the report show 22% of primary pupils and 17% of secondary pupils are entitled to free school meals — another indication of the level of deprivation in Scottish communities.
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan proposed a School Meals Bill to the Scottish Parliament on November 14. It is being co-sponsored by Scottish National Party MSP Alex Nell and Labour Party MSP John McAllion. It aims to introduce a system of universally free school meals that meet agreed nutritional standards.
The School Meals (Scotland) Bill's accompanying policy memorandum points out that universal, free and nutritious meals systems operate in other European Union countries. Finland has operated such a system since 1948. Infant mortality in Finland is among the lowest in the world.
"Scotland has the worse poverty record in Europe — and it is only marginally better than the USA and Mexico", said Danny Phillips of the Child Action Poverty Group.
"In order to tackle this reality what we need are higher benefit levels and a higher minimum wage. An important step to tackle this level of poverty is the introduction of free school meals for all children.
"The bill going through parliament to this effect is supported by Tommy Sheridan from the SSP. So far there are five MSPs from the six parties that have signed the bill — we need 12 to get the bill passed."
From Green Left Weekly, February 13, 2002.
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