09 December 2024
Youth campaigners welcome Scottish Budget plans
Last week, the Scottish government announced the Scottish Budget 2025-26.
The key highlights were:
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Ending Two-Child Benefit Cap: which is currently impacting 15,000 children living in Scotland
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More funding for Free School Meals expansion: supporting the roll out of universal Free School Meals for primary schools after taking steps backward on this commitment in September 2024
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Education and Poverty Reduction: through £120 million allocated to headteachers to address the poverty-related attainment gap.
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"Bright Start Breakfasts" Initiative: Funding provided to support the rollout of additional breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland.
Our Scottish Food Ambassadors have shared their thoughts on the Budget:
Jacob, 20, from Parkhead, Glasgow
"The announcement during the Scottish budget of Scottish Bright Start Breakfasts and the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap is amazing news for Scotland.
"As someone who works closely with families across Glasgow and Scotland through YoMo and in communities like Parkhead, I see first-hand how much these changes will mean.
"For areas like Parkhead, where many families face challenges, providing free breakfasts and expanding Free School Meals will make a huge difference.
"Being involved in the charity sector, it’s inspiring to think of more kids getting the nutrition they need to focus and thrive.
"This is a brilliant step towards tackling food poverty and supporting the well-being of young people in our communities."
Ryan, 22, from Coatbridge, near Glasgow
“As a Food Ambassador at the Food Foundation, I welcome this week’s budget in Scotland which showed that the Scottish Government is firmly committed to the expansion of free school meal provision to all primary school children and young people alongside support for those who are in support of the Scottish Child Payment.
"I am further encouraged by the announcement of the Scottish Bright Start Breakfast Scheme so that children and young people can benefit from a healthy, nutritious meal to start their educational day.
"Having benefitted from such a provision back in 2008 to 2011, breakfast programmes ensured that I was able to focus and not feel hungry during the day.
"We must do all we can to reduce food insecurity in light of data noting that 1.2 million people in Scotland experienced it in 2023.
"The Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach nationally has to have the right to food as one of its key objectives and the measures in the budget show that this approach has to be maintained.
"As a Food Ambassador, I will continue to push the Scottish Government to enshrine Right to Food in law through its proposed Human Rights Bill.
"It was also hugely important that the Scottish Government announced its intention to mitigate in full the two-child benefit cap to reduce child poverty, which is one of it’s key priorities outlined by the First Minister in his Programme for Government in September 2024."
Glory, Glasgow, Scotland
"The Scottish Government's pledge to fully mitigate the two-child benefits cap is a significant step toward reducing child poverty, reflecting a strong commitment to welfare. It signals a clear rejection of restrictive UK-wide policies and prioritizes support for families.
"Expanding Free School Meals to enhance equality and ease costs for struggling households is another important measure that aligns with broader efforts to tackle economic inequality. Overall, the budget demonstrates a firm commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation.
"From my experience as a mum, and from seeing others impacted by this policy, this initiative addresses key concerns - reducing stress, easing the pressure of managing on a limited income, and helping to mitigate rising household costs. This move will undoubtedly make a positive difference for children in Scotland.
"I wish the UK Government would follow suit. More wins for families!
After years of campaigning for a more just, equitable and sustainable food system in the UK, that makes nutritious diets accessible and affordable for all, we are delighted to the Scottish Government taking strides in the right direction.
We call on Westminster, the Senedd and Stormont to think hard about why they are falling behind, and what this means for everyday people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We would encourage you to keep listening to citizens’ voices – they have the solutions if you are ready to listen.
Jacob is a Scottish activist who campaigns for change in his own nation as well as his country. From campaigning at the Scottish Parliament to making changes in his own city Jacob is determined to change politicians' minds for the better and for the future generations.
Hello! This is Glory Omoaka, a mum of two, an activist and an agent of change who has sat at a roundtable and kitchen table with politicians, local authorities, community members and charities organisations especially refugee-led organisations to accelerate changes in the things that matters to us all as a community and society in general. I work in the healthcare sector because of my passion to help the vulnerable. I have used my lived experience and my voice to contribute to changes.
Finally, because I love cooking, and healthy food that is acceptable, available and affordable, I have decided to join other Food Ambassadors to challenge or contribute to policies that will ensure a sustainable food system that is delivered in a dignified manner.
Ryan is a politically minded campaigner, acting as a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and advocating for children in care. He is very strong speaking on the policy changes needed to protect children’s right to healthy and affordable food, and wants to make sure the good practice taking place in Scotland in relation to the monitoring of school food is adopted throughout the UK.
