SNP MSP Natalie Don has welcomed new funding from the Scottish Government to expand early years childcare and free school meals across Renfrewshire North & West.

The First Minister announced in the Programme for Government that in this parliamentary year the Scottish Government will significantly invest to expand free school meals and provisions for early year care.

The funding will ensure that all primary school pupils receive a free school lunch – a vital step to eradicating child poverty in Renfrewshire North & West. This expands on existing measures that already see all Primary 1 to 5 pupils currently receive free school meals.

There will also be an expansion of support available for early years childcare to support more young parents go back to work in Renfrewshire North & West.

Commenting, Natalie Don MSP said:

“This investment from the SNP Government will ensure that working families and struggling households across Renfrewshire North & West are supported through the Westminster cost-of-living crisis.

“Under the leadership of First Minister Humza Yousaf, the SNP Government has made it a national mission to eradicate child poverty. This move to expand free school meals to all primary school pupils during this parliament will go a long way to making sure this becomes a reality.

“Expanding free childcare will also be warmly welcomed by parents across Renfrewshire North & West.

“Supporting families with affordable and accessible childcare strengthens both employment and the economy.

“Helping families get through the Westminster cost-of-living crisis is the SNP Government’s main priority and expanding childcare and free school meals will help deliver that.”