Home   News   Article

'Little treats' remark ignites free school meals row


By Alan Beresford

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A ROW has erupted after the leader of the Tory group on Moray Council described free school meals as "little treats".

Moray Council Tory group leader Councillor Tim Eagle. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Moray Council Tory group leader Councillor Tim Eagle. Picture: Becky Saunderson

In a clip released by Moray SNP from a full council meeting, Councillor Tim Eagle (Buckie, Conservative) listed a series of SNP initiatives – including the expansion of free school meals, free music tuition and free bus travel for those under-22 – then described them “little treats” from the Scottish Government.

In the clip, Councillor Eagle said: "There is a lot of things that the Scottish Government spend their money on, whether it's free school meals, musical instruction, early learning and childcare, giving out computers, giving out bikes, giving out bus passes.

"These are all wonderful things in themselves. I couldn't disagree with any of them.

"But what we have to recognise, if we're being fiscally responsible, is that when we give out all these little treats which are good and all of them can be argued that they are necessities, particularly for some people in our society, that has an impact on the amount that we can then spend on lifeline services."

Councillor Eagle's comments have prompted the chairwoman of the council's education committee Councillor Warren (Buckie, SNP) to call on Moray MP and Scottish Conservative Party leader Douglas Ross to condemn the remarks.

Education committee chairwoman Councillor Sonya Warren: "Crass" comments should be condemned by Douglas Ross. Picture: Becky Saunderson
Education committee chairwoman Councillor Sonya Warren: "Crass" comments should be condemned by Douglas Ross. Picture: Becky Saunderson

She commented: "These comments are crass and totally out of touch.

"Douglas Ross may be distracted by the ongoing chaos at Westminster but he cannot allow these remarks from one of his own councillors and a former education committee chairman to go unchecked.

“The hard reality is that while the SNP Scottish Government took the decision to extend free school meals to eligible children throughout the summer, October and Christmas holidays, and the forthcoming Easter break, the Tories at Westminster were forced to U-turn on a planned cut by a Premier League footballer.

“At the upcoming council election, the people of Scotland can reject the Tories at the ballot box. Only the SNP has the positive vision for a better nation, building on our achievements that the Tories are so keen to talk down.”

Councillor Eagle stated that there were many issues, including free school meal delivery, within Moray education system, the committee for which Councillor Warren is chairwoman.

He continued: "I am aghast that Councillor Warren wants to resort to party politics yet is absolutely silent as chair of the young people's committee over the fact the free schools meals programme is delayed and there is no information at all on the money for musical instruction or computer equipment for schools.

"The SNP highlight my comment over universal provisions and I can absolutely apologise for calling them little treats, however the actual point Councillor Warren is so keen to ignore is that the SNP continue to provide major new policies with no funding.

"Early learning is sitting £1.9 million overspent and free school meals is currently costing the council over £1.7 million with no knowledge on what funding will come.

"I ask local people to consider whether grass cutting, public toilets, school crossing patrollers, road maintenance, elderly care, libraries etc are important, too. What we heard during the debate is that Moray faces a need to find £20 million in savings partly because key SNP policies are demanded of councils but don't come with full funding.

"In the video plastered over social media by the SNP I twice show support for the policies, the question is what will Councillor Warren do to protect the other local services that for many are vital but are under threat by her own party."


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More