The expansion of free school meals recorded an increase of 3.5% in uptake in 2023 from the previous year.

This increase was recorded across primary, secondary and additional need schools across Scotland, from 49.9% in 2022 to 53.4% in 2023.

A total of 231,957 children benefitted from the expansion.

Natalie Don, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said: "I am proud that Scotland has the most comprehensive offer of free school meals of any nation in the UK, ensuring that more children in Renfrewshire have access to healthy, nutritious meals.

“We know the impact this Tory cost of living crisis has had on children, who are the most vulnerable to the consequences of Tory austerity and reckless welfare cuts.

"The expansion of free school meals under the SNP now means that more parents now have one less thing to worry about when trying to make ends meet.

“Where it can, the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate the worst of Westminster’s backwards policies and cost crisis, but without the full powers of independence, there is only so far it can go.

"We need independence, so that the Scottish Government can have the full powers at its disposal to tackle the root causes of poverty, and ensure no child goes hungry again.”

Last year saw the SNP Scottish Government extend the entitlement of free school meals to all children in primary one to primary five, and the 2024/25 Budget confirmed the expansion of the scheme to include primary six and primary seven children in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.