West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie stated that councils should be allowed to decide how best to provide free school meals.

Several Local Authorities have stated that they will be unable to provide free school meals for five to seven year olds within their existing budgets. Councils have also become confused after the free schools meals policy excluded breakfast clubs and were confined to lunches only.

Commenting Mr Finnie said:

”The SNP’s free school meals policy is a complete shambles, Councils should decide on the best way to provide free school meals not the Scottish Government.

“Renfrewshire Council has a fantastic Breakfast Club programme currently up and running which may be in jeopardy by the SNP’s insistence on free school lunches.

“Breakfast Clubs are far more effective in improving children’s alertness and likely to be far more attainable in supplying good nutrition in these financially strained times.”