Commenting on the announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that free school meals and nursery places will be protected from UK Government reforms to tax credits, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland, said:

“The NASUWT welcomes the First Minister’s commitment to protecting free school meals and nursery places from attack by the Westminster Government.

“There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating the vital contribution which good nutrition and high-quality early years education makes to children’s future life chances and educational attainment.

“Investing to protect these services is an investment in these children’s futures. It is shameful that Conservative ministers in Westminster are determined to continue with their agenda of cuts which are driving more and more families into poverty and hitting the most vulnerable hardest.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:

“Every day teachers witness the impact of the Westminster Government’s cuts on the most disadvantaged children and their families. NASUWT research shows alarming numbers of children coming to school hungry.

“The Scottish Government rightly recognises that investment in free school meals and nursery places is an investment, not a cost, and that children should not have to bear the brunt of ideological attacks on the most disadvantaged in our society.”