Check for summer meal support

EDUCATION Secretary Jenny Gilruth has urged families in Dumfriesshire to check their eligibility for free school meal support ahead of the summer break. Local authorities support eligible families to access food during school holiday periods, including food vouchers and direct payments to families. The Scottish Government provides local councils with a total of £21.75 million annually to fund this. Ms Gilruth said: "Schools breaking up for summer provides families with opportunities to rest, enjoy quality time together and prepare for the academic year ahead, but we know the holiday periods can also be a time of increased financial pressure for families. "Scotland is the only one of four UK nations currently providing alternative free school meal provision, which is an important strand of our work towards eradicating child poverty. the Scottish Government provides more than £21 million annually to support local councils to continue free meal provision for those families that need it most. "As we approach the summer break, I urge anyone who may have become newly eligible to check their eligibility status with their local authority and apply as soon as possible."