This is because the scheme has been extended to families who are in receipt of a Scottish Child Payment.

Parents or guardians who meet the criteria are being reminded that they still have time to apply using the online form.

This will ensure that all eligible children can, and will, benefit from the expansion of the free school meals programme.

All pupils in P1-5 across South Lanarkshire primary schools are already entitled to free school meals, regardless of circumstance.

The addition of P6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment was announced by the Scottish Government last year and has now been rolled out across the country.

Council leader Joe Fagan said: “The expansion of free school meal provision to more eligible children in P6 and 7 opens the programme up to more than 1700 pupils in the senior phase of primary school. 

“I would encourage all eligible families to apply - they can do this quickly and easily on our website – and to ensure their children benefit from this welcome change in policy.”

And Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of the Community and Enterprise Resources committee added: “In South Lanarkshire, our facilities team delivers thousands of healthy and nutritious meals each day of the school year, and I am delighted that we are now able to open that option up to even more children.

“The application process is straightforward, and I genuinely hope that as many families as possible take up this opportunity.

Parents/carers of primary 6 and 7 pupils who are in receipt of a Scottish Child Payment should apply using the online form.

*Primary 6 and 7 pupils already in receipt of free school meals do not need to apply.

And parents/carers are also being reminded that there is still time to apply for free school meal pilot for S1-S3 pupils