Magic Breakfast poll shows 80% of Scots want the First Minister to act now and fulfil the government’s breakfast promise made almost two years ago
- In September 2021, then First Minister Sturgeon committed the Scottish Government to delivering free universal breakfast provision in all primary and special schools
- Children across Scotland continue to start the day hungry almost two years after the Scottish Government promised to support them
- Magic Breakfast and the Scottish people are asking the Scottish Government to act now – as levels of poverty and hunger mean children cannot wait any longer
16 May, 2023. Magic Breakfast, an education charity, is calling upon the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to fulfil the promise made to Scottish children and young people almost two years ago and start offering school children and young people in all primary and special schools a daily free breakfast. With a large majority of the electorate supporting this policy, it is essential this policy is included in the forthcoming Programme for Government.
Magic Breakfast is asking the First Minister to make a clear commitment in his September 2023 Programme for Government, to roll out breakfast provision in all primary and special schools in Scotland. It is a policy which will give children and young people the fuel to learn today, improve their life chances tomorrow, and which has the backing of large numbers of people across Scotland and cross-party support.
It is now approaching three years since former Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP said, “We want every child to have every chance to learn every minute of every school day, starting from the moment they arrive in class. A child arriving at school hungry cannot learn as well as they should. So, we will also extend free provision of a healthy breakfast to all primary school.”
Since this commitment was made by the Scottish Government, an already perilous economic situation faced by the most vulnerable families and children across Scotland has been hugely exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. An investment in Scottish children today is a long overdue investment in Scotland’s future. Magic Breakfast is asking the new First Minister to act now, putting breakfast on the table for children.
Lindsey MacDonald, Chief Executive at Magic Breakfast, said:
We welcomed the announcement by The Scottish Government in September 2021, which signalled leadership, commitment to tackling inequality and a brighter future for Scotland. The new First Minister can demonstrate his commitment to a more progressive and fairer Scotland by delivering on this promise as breakfast can’t wait any longer. Backing this policy may hopefully further debate on similar investment in children across the rest of the UK. This policy is the right thing to do, with overwhelming support from the Scottish people, Magic Breakfast are asking the government to roll-out the policy now, delivering real change for Scotland.
Find out how you can support Magic Breakfast at www.magicbreakfast.com
ENDS
ABOUT MAGIC BREAKFAST
Magic Breakfast is a registered charity providing healthy breakfasts to children and young people in the UK who arrive at school too hungry to learn, and expert support to their schools. Over 200,000 children and young people are on roll at Primary, Secondary, ASL / Special Educational Needs Schools, and Pupil Referral Units that the charity works with, in disadvantaged areas of Scotland and England. Providing breakfast ensures that children start their school day with the energy and nutrition they need to be able to make the most of their morning lessons. Magic Breakfast also undertakes research, and campaigns for long-term solutions to end hunger as a barrier to learning.
POLL
In a March 2023 poll conducted by Survation on behalf of Magic Breakfast, 1014 people aged 16+ living in Scotland, were asked:
The SNP made a commitment in its manifesto to provide free breakfast for all primary school pupils and special school pupils in Scotland. To what extent, if at all, do you agree or disagree with the following statement? ‘The new first Minister of Scotland should prioritise this commitment within the next six months’?
78% of respondents answered ‘agree’.
CONTACT
Stephen.Hart@magicbreakfast.com or 07967 550463.
