By Bill Heaney
Campaigning MSP Ross Greer has urged West Dunbartonshire Council to write off more than £27,000 worth of debt owed by poor families for school dinners.
Best known in the area for his campaigning against the Flamingoland development in Balloch, Greer who is a List MSP for West of Scotland, Ross Greer said pursuing the debt during a time when people are under so much pressure for money is causing stress and embarrassment for staff and pupils.
A Freedom of Information Request submitted by the Scottish Greens 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.
However, the amounts of money owed by the defaulting families must be a pittance compared to some of the amounts of public money which the basket case council, squanders regularly.
Greer, pictured right, 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.”
The SNP council should think black burning shame of itself for pursuing these debts. The embarrassment for the children involved must be huge since it is well known that some pupils are reluctant even to take free meals to which they are entitled because they are too embarrassed.
Ross Greer, whose Green Party is currently propping up the SNP government in Edinburgh, said: “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.”
Councils always seem to have a ready made answer for criticism of unjust policies such as West Dunbartonshire’s on Corporate Debt. They should scrap this policy immediately.