4. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to roll out universal free school meals. (S6O-02247)

We remain committed to the expansion of free school meals in primary and special schools as described in our programme for government. All primary school pupils in primaries 1 to 5, children in funded early learning and childcare and eligible pupils in primary 6 through to secondary 6 can benefit from free meals in Scotland—the most generous provision anywhere in the United Kingdom—which saves parents £400 per eligible child per year.

Our additional investment that was announced in December 2022 will continue to fund the expansion of free school meals to all primary 6 and 7 pupils who are in receipt of the Scottish child payment. That will be the next step in fulfilling our commitment to universal provision in primary schools.

Three weeks ago, the cabinet secretary said that the Scottish National Party was committed to piloting free school meals in secondary schools. However, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister have suggested that a targeted approach would be better. Can the cabinet secretary clear up that confusion and confirm whether the SNP Government is committed to piloting universal free school meals in secondary schools? If so, when will that start?

As the member said, the issue was raised in the chamber only three weeks ago. We are still very much committed to that secondary school pilot. It is important that we roll out that pilot so that we can learn how things might operate.

As I intimated in my initial response, we are also committed to universal provision in primary schools. That is being phased in through a process in which we are adhering to the Scottish child payment as a requirement for primary 6 and 7 pupils. However, we remain committed to universal roll-out in primary schools and to the secondary school pilot that the member mentioned.

At the food for thought parliamentary reception last week, young people made it really clear that hunger does not end at the primary school gate, so the pilot scheme for secondary schools is important. What steps will the Government take to ensure that young people are involved in co-designing the pilot scheme and in the on-going roll-out of universal free school meals?

I was not in Parliament last Thursday, but I saw from social media that the event was well attended. I look forward to working with Monica Lennon on the issue, which we discussed at a previous portfolio question time. She makes a very valid point about co-design, and I would be more than happy to meet her to discuss that.

I have not yet met officials to talk about some of the proposals in relation to the secondary school pilot and how it might be administered in the future. I am more than happy to engage with the member on that really important issue for young people and with our young people directly on the roll-out.