Only 23% of kids over six get free fruit

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

LESS than a quarter of Edinburgh's primary schools are handing out free fruit to children over six, despite an SNP manifesto pledge that all primary pupils would benefit from the scheme.

Official figures published by the Scottish Government showed only 23 per cent of the Capital's primary schools had so far extended the free fruit scheme beyond P1 and P2.

In contrast, all primary schools in West Lothian Council had extended the scheme. In East Lothian, the figure was 26 per cent and in Midlothian 30 per cent.

Across Scotland, all state primary schools take part in the free fruit scheme, and 51 per cent reported having extended the scheme in some way, either to older pupils or by giving out more fruit.

Edinburgh's education leader Marilyne MacLaren said: "Unfortunately, we are facing a very difficult financial situation at present."