Highland SNP MSP Maree Todd slams Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross after the Moray MP abstained on a vote to ensure free school meals continue over the winter holidays in England
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE "shameful failure" of the Scottish Conservatives' leader to vote to help hungry children in England has been slammed by a Highland MSP.
Douglas Ross, who is seeking election to the Scottish Parliament next year, abstained during Wednesday night's controversial vote in Westminster where he sits as MP for Moray.
A motion by Labour to ensure that free school meals will be offered to children during holidays until Easter next year was defeated by 322 votes to 261 after most Conservatives voted against it. Only five voted in favour, with several dozen others abstaining. Mr Ross was the only Conservative MP in Scotland to abstain, with his colleagues all voting against.
Campaigners, including footballer Marcus Rashford – who succeeded in pushing for similar school meal measures during the summer and was awarded an MBE for his efforts – were horrified by the vote's outcome. Many of them had argued that the vouchers would be vital during any winter Covid spike, and the economic hit that this could cause.
Administrations in Scotland and Wales have already moved to ensure free school meals continue outwith term times this winter.
And Highlands and Islands MSP Maree Todd, has argued that Douglas Ross should feel "shame" for not voting for similar measures for England's disadvantaged children this winter – arguing that he had also highlighted the merits of free school meals a month ago when he had tweeted to say: "I have seen myself the difference that providing free meals can make. I just want to make sure no-one falls through the cracks and by giving this to all primary school pupils we can make sure the offer is there for everyone."
Ms Todd, who represents the SNP said: “In a time of increased financial pressure due to the pandemic, it’s shameful that Douglas Ross failed to vote to deliver free school meals to nearly one million children in England.
“Many will remember Mr Ross’ spiel last month where he claimed to see the benefits of free school meals and vowed his party would give all primary school pupils free breakfast and lunch. If it’s good enough for children in Scotland – why not England?
“With all Scottish Tory MPs voting against free school meals, it would seem the Scottish Tory leaders’ group in Westminster are following the Prime Minister, not him.”
Ms Todd added that the Scottish Government had supported children eligible for free school meals over the summer through a package of £27.6 million, and that her party's administration had since made £10 million available to councils to continue providing free school meals through the winter breaks, with future funding confirmed to extend support over Easter.
She claimed that more than 3687 children across the Highlands will benefit from this additional funding.
“We know that free school meals are vital for many families across the Highlands and are an important way of ensuring their children receive the nutritious food they need," she added.
“Westminster has a lot to learn from the SNP’s approach to tackling food insecurity and building a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect.”
