Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson Hugh O'Donnell MSP has warned the Government against complacency as new figures showed a drop in the number of children taking a school meal and wide disparities between local authorities across Scotland.

Figures published today show that take up rates fell in 11 of Scotland’s 32 councils, which is more than a third, and showed no progress in a further three councils. The percentage of pupils taking meals in secondary schools has also fallen by two per cent since 2007.

Commenting, Mr O'Donnell said:

"The Government must guard against complacency on this issue. The figures show that almost half of Scotland's councils saw a drop in the percentage of primary children taking a school meal in the past year. The drop in the number of secondary pupils taking a school meal is even greater.

"I am concerned that uptake has fallen in so many council areas. There remain large disparities between Scotland’s local authorities, ranging from a high of 75.9 per cent in one, to a low of just 32.1 per cent in another.

"In its haste to trumpet the figures on free school meals, the SNP must not ignore these wider issues.

“Councils are already feeling the financial strain and the Government needs to ensure that they are supported to increase the take up of healthy, nutritious school meals."