Following agreement with Social Security Scotland, qualifying P6 and P7 pupils will automatically receive the free school meal entitlement.

This automatic entitlement will also apply to S1-S3 pupils whose schools are participating in the Scottish Government's new 'Test of Change Pilot' scheme.

The South Lanarkshire schools that will take part in the pilot during the 2025/26 school year are:

• Calderglen High School
• Trinity High School
• Lesmahagow High School
• Larkhall Academy

If a child is not automatically included for free school meals because they were not in receipt of Scottish Child Payment at the time of twice yearly data sharing update between SSS and the council, an application can  be made for the free school meal pilot scheme using this online form.

Council leader Joe Fagan said: “I welcome the news that hundreds of pupils across South Lanarkshire will be able to receive this vital assistance.

“Extending free school meals to secondary school pupils through this pilot can help us realise that.

“As part of this scheme, we are now able to open the option of healthy and nutritious school meals to more young people each day of the new school year.”