Commenting on the announcement of extra funding for food provision COSLA Spokespeople for Resources and Children and Young People, Councillors Gail Macgregor and Stephen McCabe issued a joint statement:

“COSLA welcomes today’s (Tuesday) announcement from the First Minister on additional funding for food provision.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the effort of council staff  in ensuring access to food for those who need it has been heroic.

“Councils and their partners have worked successfully, innovatively and at pace to ensure that eligible children continue to receive free school meals.

“Successful mechanisms have also been put in place in every Local Authority area to ensure  food is available to those who are unable to access it by the usual means due to isolation requirements or financial reasons. This support for those who are most vulnerable and for those with low income remains a key priority.

“Councils will continue to work on the front line to ensure this provision remains available to those in need as we continue to respond to COVID-19 and as our communities begin to recover.”