Call to write off school meal debt

An MSP has called on Stirling Council to wipe out more than £30,000 of unpaid school dinners debt.

Stirling-based Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell said this week that the £31,369.07 debt should be written off.

A Freedom of Information Request submitted by the Scottish Greens had found that children and families in Stirling owe the money to Stirling Council, with the national figure totalling over £1 million.

The debt has accumulated despite all P1-5 pupils in Scotland now being entitled to a free school meal.

Mr Ruskell said:“children can’t get a good education if they’re hungry at school.

“I believe that Stirling Council rightly ensures every pupil has a meal at lunchtime, even if they don’t have the money to cover it. But these figures make it clear that debts are being chased from families who simply can’t pay.

“With the cost of living crisis putting huge pressure on family finances, this is the right time to write off all outstanding school meal debt. Pursuing the debt is causing stress and embarrassment for pupils and their families but I know that staff are deeply uncomfortable asking pupils for money they know the family does not have.

“I’m proud that as a result of the cooperation agreement between the Greens and SNP we are rolling out free school meals to all primary school children, as well as taking other measures to help family budgets such as free bus travel for under 22s.

“Writing off this debt would be an excellent way for Stirling Council to also help families with the financial burdens they face, rather than add to them.”

Leader of the council’s current SNP/ Labour administration Councillor Scott Farmer said he was open to looking at the wiping out the debt - but that it would be for the administration to take up after the forthcoming council elections on May 5.

He said:“the current administration with the support of the Greens have introduced a raft of anti poverty measures at the recent budget totalling around £2 million.

“I am not averse to the proposed measure and would certainly give it due consideration in the new Administration. It is for the incoming administration to take the measure forward if they so choose.”

Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny, however, suggested the move would be unfair to those who have already paid.

He said:“the poorest already get school meals for free. Many people make the effort to pay for their children’s school meals. Cancelling this debt without looking at a rebate for those who have paid is a slap in the face to them. Are the Greens suggesting a refund for everyone? Without an answer, this looks like nothing more than simplistic virtue signalling in the run up to a local election.”