SHERIDAN SLAMS HEALTHY EATING INITIATIVE AS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan today dismissed the Scottish Executive’s latest Healthy Eating initiative as too little and too late.

He said,

“Since they voted against my Free School Meals Bill last year, we have had a flurry of healthy eating initiatives, no doubt with an eye to the upcoming election. Now we have Cathy Jamieson giving Primary one and two pupils fruit three times a week. Great, but why only P1s and P2s and why only three times a week? Glasgow City Council gives fruit to all kids every day and that is what all Scotland’s schools should have.

But hold on, isn’t this a universalistic provision? And isn’t that what New Labour objected to? Their other attempts to limit the kids to burgers and chips or pizza twice a week is a joke. Only a free, universal and nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtime for all school pupils will begin to turn Scotland’s diet around. The other problem with the Executive’s big idea is that schools won’t be forced to serve healthy food. These are only guidelines, which are not enforceable by law.

The Scottish Socialist Party will be making this a major part of their election campaign and will reintroduce the Free School Meals Bill as an urgent priority after May 1st.”
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For more information, contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647