THE Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank has given a warm welcome to the news this week that pupils eligible for free school meals in the area will continue to receive them during the summer holidays.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that the provision of free school meals to pupils who need them will continue until the start of the new term in August.

Councils will be given a total of £12.6m from the Scottish Government to provide the service to an estimated 175,000 pupils across the country.

The issue has been in the spotlight in England this week, with Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford successfully convincing the UK government to change its mind and continue its own scheme – having previously said it would be stopped.

READ MORE: Free school meals to be provided in Helensburgh – and across Scotland – throughout summer holidays

Mary McGinley, the local food bank’s chair, said: “Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank were very pleased to hear the announcement from the First Minister that funding was being made available to local authorities to allow them to provide school meals for all eligible children throughout the summer school holidays.

“This is good news for families who due to low income find it difficult to ensure all the family receive a nutritious lunch every day.

“This is one less worry for parents who have been coping with low income, home schooling and the anxiety and stress of keeping children occupied during the Covid lockdown.

“Last summer Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank provided holiday lunch boxes for these children because there was no provision during the school holiday from Argyll and Bute Council.

READ MORE: MSP praises 'comprehensive' Argyll and Bute effort to supply free school meals during lockdown

“It’s great that this year children will not have to rely on charity for their lunches but will receive these as a basic right and will have the food they need to grow and thrive.

“Holiday hunger occurs where families do not have enough money to buy food to replace the school meals that children receive during term time.

“It is recognised that children who miss out on essential nutrients during the summer holiday have less energy to enjoy outdoor activities and return to school less fit than their peers who have been well fed.

“The effects of holiday hunger results in children from less well-off households being less ready to learn and benefit from education when they return to school.

READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Helensburgh's food bank as volunteers battle to keep people supplied during pandemic

“We fully support this action and hope that it will continue during future school holidays – not only during Covid.

“Some of the lessons we have learned during Covid regarding the need to reduce inequality and the adverse effect poverty has on health and life chances need to be addressed in the longer term.”

An advisory note on Argyll and Bute Council’s website says: “Children in receipt of free school meals have been able to either collect or receive a delivery of a meal at lunchtime.

“This will be changing to the delivery of an ambient and fresh food parcel. If you have not been contacted already regarding the changes, please speak to your head teacher.”

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond here