Public services that are free at the point of need for everyone define our civilised society.
The NHS and education are two obvious examples that should not be means tested. But universalism is costly and cannot be applied to every benefit or service.
It is also the case that child poverty is at epidemic levels and wise spending decisions are required to improve lives. That is why First Minister Humza Yousaf is correct to suggest that a further expansion of free school meals may not be the best move.
Giving free school meals to all primary 6 and 7 pupils, and going even further into secondaries, would not be a prudent move when money is tight. It would inevitably result in money benefiting middle and higher earners while not doing much to cut poverty.
The better-off already receive free tuition, free prescriptions, free personal care and a Baby Box, so they cannot complain about getting nothing back for their taxes. A better choice would be to top up benefits like Universal Credit or the Scottish Child Payment, which go to people who are on low incomes.
Ministers must review all their current commitments and work out how many kids will be taken out of poverty as a result. If a policy will not have the desired effect, it should not go ahead.
Yousaf has opened up an important policy discussion and MSPs should engage constructively.
Plane crazy
Scots deserve a summer where they can make hassle-free travel plans.
Years of Covid restrictions made holidaying abroad a stressful experience at best and a total nightmare at worst. The cost of staycations only soared as a result.
So it’s disheartening to hear that airport staff at Scotland’s busiest airport are planning strikes. Edinburgh is the hub for an increasing number of flights.
Many involved in the dispute deal with airport security, terminal operations, screening deliveries as well as airside support. A walk-out would cause travel chaos.
It’s vital that airport bosses get around the negotiating table with unions as a priority and sort this out. They should make a realistic pay offer to staff to ensure this dispute is ended as a priority.
Many people lost faith in airports during Covid. The industry has to win customers back. Picking fights with staff is not the way to go about it.
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