More than £27,000 worth of school dinner debt should be written off by West Dunbartonshire Council according to a local MSP.
Green member for the West of Scotland Ross Greer made the calls, as he said pursuing the debt during a time where finances are squeezed is causing stress and embarrassment for staff and pupils.
A Freedom of Information Request submitted by the Scottish Greens has found that children and families in West Dunbartonshire owe a total of £27,889.15 to West Dunbartonshire Council, with the national figure now over one million pounds.
This is despite all P1 to P5 pupils in Scotland now being entitled to a free school meal.
Greer, who is a member of the Scottish Government’s education committee, said: “Children can’t get a good education if they’re hungry at school.
“I believe that West Dunbartonshire Council rightly ensures every pupil has a meal at lunchtime, even if they don’t have the money to cover it, but these figures make it clear that debts are being chased from families who simply can’t pay.
“With the cost of living crisis putting huge pressure on family finances, this is the right time to write off all outstanding school meal debt.
“Pursuing the debt is causing stress and embarrassment for pupils and their families but I know that staff are deeply uncomfortable asking pupils for money they know the family does not have.
“I’m proud that as a result of the cooperation agreement between the Greens and SNP we are rolling out free school meals to all primary school children, as well as taking other measures to help family budgets such as free bus travel for under 22s.
“Writing off this debt would be an excellent way for West Dunbartonshire to also help families with the financial burdens they face, rather than add to them.”
Highlighting that 27 percent of pupils in West Dunbartonshire were eligible for free school meals, a West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are fully committed to supporting our pupils to thrive in school and this includes ensuring they enjoy a nutritious lunch.
“While we have a duty to recover all monies owed in line with our Corporate Debt policy, no child will ever go without a meal because of outstanding debt.
“We continue to provide a range of financial advice and support to families through our Family Opportunity Hubs and Working4U service, and encourage any parent who requires assistance to visit: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u/work/employability-support-services/family-opportunity-hubs/.”
