The Scottish government has been defeated in a non-binding vote calling on ministers to expand free school meals to all primary pupils.
The SNP administration suffered a double defeat at Holyrood, with MSPs also backing a separate motion calling on the government to reverse its decision to reintroduce peak ScotRail fares.
Opposition politicians joined forces to challenge the SNP after First Minister John Swinney’s maiden Programme for Government rolled back on a previous universal free school meals commitment.
Currently, all pupils in P1-P5 receive free school meals. The benefit will next be expanded to include P6 and P7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
Due to financial pressures, the 2021 SNP manifesto pledge for a universal rollout will now not be delivered by 2026.
Despite losing the vote on Wednesday, the Scottish government is not obligated to take action – with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes earlier intimating no change would be made regardless of the outcome of the vote.
The debate was led by the Scottish Conservatives. MSP Liam Kerr said the first minister had broken the SNP’s promise.
MSP Liam Kerr during the debate on Wednesday. Pic: PA
He stated: “Everyone knows our kids need food to be ready to learn.
“The children’s commissioner said it yesterday – going to school hungry is not only a barrier to learning and educational achievement, but it can severely impact development in childhood and into adulthood.”
Mr Kerr claimed the Scottish government is “sitting on the largest cash terms block grant in devolution history”.
He also cited a recent report by independent economic forecaster the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), which said while UK government policies contribute to pressures on Holyrood’s budget, “much of the pressure comes from the Scottish government’s own decisions”.
Mr Kerr referenced a number of government spending decisions, including £400m on the two much-delayed and over-budget ferries.
He also claimed that Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP spent more than £180m on spin doctors, consultants, foreign trips and hospitality.
“Then there are the more than 120 ministerial overseas trips in the last two years to more than 30 different destinations, despite, of course, foreign affairs being reserved to Westminster,” Mr Kerr said.
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He also singled out MSP Angus Robertson, Scottish secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture, and noted his budget of £347m had not been axed in last week’s cull by Finance Secretary Shona Robison.
Mr Kerr added: “By axing the universal rollout of free school meals in primary schools, the SNP have shamefully betrayed Scotland’s poorest pupils.
“They’ve abandoned any pretence that they know how to eradicate the attainment gap and/or child poverty, and they have played fast and loose with the trust that the people of Scotland invested in them.”
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In response, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth claimed she had made “strong representations” to colleague Ms Robison to retain the pledge and shared the “disappointment” felt over it being delayed.
Ms Gilruth. Pic: PA
The former modern studies teacher told the chamber the Scottish government did “not disagree” with the principle of the motion and remains committed to delivering universal free school meals.
She said the current free school meals scheme was saving families on average £400 per child per year.
Ms Gilruth said: “I believe emphatically in the principle of universality as a politician. And as a teacher, I know hungry children cannot learn.”
However, Ms Gilruth questioned how the administration would fund the approximate £256m funding gap to deliver the full scheme this parliamentary term.
Without “any clarity on additional consequentials” from the UK government, the Scottish government currently “does not have the resources to deliver it”.
Ms Gilruth said “those who hold the purse strings” have offered no confirmation, adding: “So, I would welcome confirmation today from any Labour MSP in the chamber on the totality of consequentials which they expect to flow to Scotland from the new UK Labour government.”
The motion passed by 64 votes to two, with 60 abstentions.
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Peak rail fares
The Scottish government also lost a non-binding vote calling on the SNP to reverse its decision to end a scheme that scrapped peak-time ScotRail fares.
Transport Scotland said the trial – subsidised by the Scottish government – cost £40m but “did not achieve its aims” of encouraging more people to swap their cars for rail travel.
Although passenger levels increased to a maximum of about 6.8%, the scheme would require a 10% increase to be self-financing.
The scheme began in October last year and was extended past its initial six-month run. It will now come to an end on 27 September.
Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: “Ticket prices for the popular Edinburgh to Glasgow route will [more than] double from £14.90 to a staggering £31.40.
“This is a step in the wrong direction. It cannot be right that it is cheaper, easier, and simpler to choose private cars over public transport.”
The motion passed by 64 votes to 62.
Following the double defeat, the Scottish Tories urged Mr Swinney to “see the error of his ways” and U-turn on his government’s plans.
MSP Alexander Burnett, the party’s chief whip, added: “John Swinney would be both arrogant and foolish to ignore today’s Holyrood double whammy.”