[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1orwlbtqkbkx8":17},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"content":10,"content_overview":11,"published_at":12,"seo_title":8,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16},"01m5fanaffkxrzkrpj1x4keag4","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","01j303dmcc6n6900v73fs88bc7",false,"Right to Food Commission supports Aberlour's Call to End School Meal Debt","right-to-food-commission-supports-aberlours-call","\u003Cp>School meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three words that should never be uttered in the same sentence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children bearing the burden and stigma of debt should shame any society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, here in Scotland that is what we saw happening for thousands of children and their families around the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many high school children having a negative balance on their parent pay account would mean being unable to access a meal at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt and hidden school hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sides of the same coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what side that coin lands on it would still show how badly we have failed many of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why at Aberlour we were compelled to do something about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make sure we stood beside those children and their families and to call for something to change – urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We wanted to make sure we saw an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fabout-us\u002Fpolicy-and-influencing\u002Fpublic-debt\u002Fschool-meal-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end to school meal debt and hidden school hunger for good\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2023 we urged the then First Minister, Humza Yusaf, to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring an end to the shameful practice of children and their families being chased by debt collectors for school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt is a symptom of families not having enough money to provide the very basics for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, it is about a lack of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We welcomed the introduction of a one-off School Meal Debt Fund to write off outstanding debt for one year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we were clear that was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our evidence shows that the majority of children with school meal debt are from low-income working families who do not qualify for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, along with writing off the debt for struggling families, we called for the expansion of Free School Meals to all low-income families across Scotland to help prevent school meal debt in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, we welcomed John Swinney’s subsequent commitment to continuing the School Meal Debt Fund for a further year to write off nearly £3 million of school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures show that this benefitted 70,000 children and their families across Scotland over the last two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A welcome relief for many, but still a limited intervention without a long-term solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our campaign to end school meal debt has continued up to and during the recent Scottish Parliament elections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year we also published evidence that pointed to the extent of school meal debt for children and their families in England.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What our research suggested was that around 1 in 4 children not eligible for free school meals in England had regular or persistent school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so we called on the UK Government to act and follow Scotland’s lead by taking action to end school meal debt for children across the rest of the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This week saw the launch of the independent UK Right to Food Commission report and findings following their work to evidence the scale of food insecurity across the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commission’s report provides a roadmap and clear actions all governments across the UK must take to end food insecurity for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This includes ending school meal debt for good for all children the length of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Scotland, the SNP made a commitment during the Scottish Parliamentary election campaign to end school meal debt once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That manifesto pledge was then followed by the First Minister announcing that families struggling with school meal debt would continue to be helped by committing the same level of investment again this year to write that debt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time this will happen alongside the further expansion of Free School Meals in primary schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urgent measure and a preventative solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is much more the First Minister must do to make real progress on his ambition to “eradicate child poverty”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is one example that the rest of the UK can follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure no child ever again is burdened with debt or goes hungry at school would be a quick win for Andy Burnham, to show his commitment to tackling food insecurity by ending school meal debt in every postcode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Martin Canavan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Head of Policy & Influencing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2026-10-21T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's Head of Policy & Influencing, Martin Canavan, shares what must be done to end school meal debt and hidden hunger in schools for good. He shares what has been done in Scotland and what must be done in England.","media\u002Fshared image.jpg","2026-10-21T13:33:25.000000Z","2026-10-22T08:11:54.000000Z",{"id":18,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":23,"published_at":24,"seo_title":25,"seo_description":26,"image":27,"created_at":28,"updated_at":29,"next":30,"prev":31},"01j6cdm3k8d4m5gy3t1vzve282","1","Aberlour no.23 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023","aberlour-no-23-in-the-top-100-most-inclusive-workplaces-index-2023","\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity is thrilled to have reached number 23\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The National Centre for Diversity’s FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversion, Inclusion and Engagement) award honours outstanding efforts in fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace and Aberlour has been recognised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remarkable achievement follows Aberlour’s Investors in Diversity accreditation which was awarded in March 2023, in recognition of our promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the year-long assessment, in the Investors in Diversity process, our staff emphasised the positive impact of Aberlour’s dedication to creating an inclusive and innovative working environment that values its employees and fosters a sense of connection and respect among colleagues. \u003Cstrong>Staff reported:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Aberlour is the best place I have ever worked in regard to feeling comfortable in speaking openly without judgement’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Aberlour Chief Executive, SallyAnn Kelly OBE\u003C\u002Fstrong> expressed her delight in the ranking saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m delighted that Aberlour has reached number 23 in the 2023 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Workplaces. The award celebrates the remarkable achievements of everyone who has committed themselves to building inclusive cultures and I’m proud to see Aberlour ranking up there with the very best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ensuring that we have effective workplace approaches towards equality, diversity and inclusion is key to our team feeling valued and more able to support young people and families from many different backgrounds and life experiences. I look forward to us continuing to improve and evolve our support for equality, diversion, and inclusion in Aberlour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Aberlour we understand the value of diversity in the workplace and acknowledge the benefits it brings, not only to our staff, but also the children and families we support. This award is a testament to our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable, respected, and valued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Chief Executive at the National Centre for Diversity, Solat Chaudhry\u003C\u002Fstrong> said: “I send my warmest congratulations to Aberlour Children’s Charity on successfully reaching number 23\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023. It’s been a challenging year and yet, it has not dented the excellent work that organisations and individuals do in promoting FREDIE best practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am particularly proud that we celebrate excellent work across all sectors as these organisations are the future of the workplace in the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We celebrate the exceptional work of people and organisations who have Equality, Diversity and Inclusion running through their DNA. Let’s rejoice at this and build a better society.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity is thrilled to have reached number 23 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023. The National Centre for Diversity’s FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversion, Inclusion and Engagement) award honours outstanding efforts in fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace and Aberlour has been recognised. This remarkable achievement follows Aberlour’s Investors in Diversity accreditation which … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Faberlour-no-23-in-the-top-100-most-inclusive-workplaces-index-2023\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2023-12-07T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour no.23 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023 - Aberlour - Web Backend","Aberlour Children’s Charity is thrilled to have reached number 23 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023.","media\u002FNo.23-002.png","2024-08-28T11:58:33.000000Z","2024-11-25T07:22:19.000000Z",{"id":18,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":23,"published_at":24,"seo_title":25,"seo_description":26,"image":27,"created_at":28,"updated_at":29},{"id":32,"blog_author_id":19,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":33,"slug":34,"content":35,"content_overview":36,"published_at":37,"seo_title":38,"seo_description":39,"image":40,"created_at":28,"updated_at":29},"01j6cdm3kedr4pew3vbkxmgqp9","Letter to FM urging Scottish Government to sort school meal debt","letter-to-fm-urging-government-to-sort-school-meal-debt","\u003Cp>Aberlour and The Scottish Sun have sent an open letter to Humza Yousaf, Shona Robison and Jennifer Gilruth asking them to sort the school meal debt in the forthcoming Scottish budget. The letter below has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thescottishsun.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002F11612656\u002Ffirst-minister-school-meal-debt-humza-yousaf\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">published in today’s Scottish Sun\u003C\u002Fa>:-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Dear First Minister, Finance Secretary, and Education Secretary,\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We write ahead of this month’s Holyrood Budget on December 19, about the issue of school meal debt and how it is affecting thousands of families in Scotland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, this is a plea for help – now – for those who have been unable to pay for meals for their children. It is also a plea for an enduring solution to this long-standing but worsening issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent weeks, The Scottish Sun’s Sort the School Debt campaign, in conjunction with Aberlour Children’s Charity, has sought to highlight the need for the debt to be cancelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estimated cost of this is £1.8 million, a sum which is small in terms of the Scottish Government Budget, but could make a world of difference to the 30,000 children and their families affected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a move would also provide a stop-gap to the point approaching in the next few years when – at least in primary schools – school meals are due to be free for all pupils, under the welcome Scottish Government policy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As you will be aware, many of the families who owe money are those who in years gone by would not have fallen into debt due to being eligible for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of these will be families who are not eligible for the Scottish Government’s new Scottish Child Payment, who have now been pushed to the brink by the cost-of-living crisis. In addition many families who are eligible for the Scottish Child Payment do not qualify for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comparative figures suggest the total debt is rising, and while large-scale economic and fiscal interventions are difficult for the Scottish Government, local government and education clearly falls within its powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some councils have shown willingness to act – and indeed have – on this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others have been reluctant, meaning that we firmly believe this issue will now require Scottish Government intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We would draw your attention to the wealth of evidence about the fall in household disposable income in recent years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Office For Budget Responsibility last month said living standards as measured by real household disposable income per person are forecast to be 3.5 per cent lower in 2024-25 than the pre-pandemic level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is now a fortnight until the Scottish Government publishes its draft Budget for 2024-25, we are aware that you will be finalising these details in the coming days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hope you can take this into consideration and agree that the moral case for ending school meal debt accrued by struggling families is difficult to argue against, especially given how it can help in the Scottish Government’s fight against child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During our campaign we have also highlighted how councils are using debt collectors to hound parents for even small  amounts of debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This should stop – and we would call on you to use whatever powers you have in order to achieve this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One clear action your government can take to prevent against school meal debt is to extend eligibility for free school meals to all low-income families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yours,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>SallyAnn Kelly OBE, Chief Executive Aberlour Children’s Charity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Gill Smith, Editor, The Scottish Sun\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>Aberlour and The Scottish Sun have sent an open letter to Humza Yousaf, Shona Robison and Jennifer Gilruth asking them to sort the school meal debt in the forthcoming Scottish budget. The letter below has been published in today’s Scottish Sun:- Dear First Minister, Finance Secretary, and Education Secretary, We write ahead of this month’s … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fletter-to-fm-urging-government-to-sort-school-meal-debt\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2023-12-05T00:00:00.000000Z","Letter to FM urging Scottish Government to sort school meal debt - Aberlour - Web Backend","Aberlour and The Scottish Sun have sent a letter to Humza Yousaf, Shona Robison and Jennifer Gilruth asking them to sort the school meal debt.","media\u002FPrimary-School-Girl-Getting-Her-School-Lunch.jpg"]