Today I had the honour of delivering the final Time for Reflection of this session of The Scottish Parliament as Chair of SYP.
Last Sunday marked 5 years since I lost my mum at 17.
Youth work made me the person I am today. It not only changed my life, but saved it too.
We were delighted to see the Government announce last week an uplift in funding for breakfast clubs in mainstream schools from 60p to £1 per pupil, alongside an increase to start-up funding and a guaranteed £25 per day to support schools with staffing and admin costs. 🪙
And we also welcome the Government’s continued funding for secondary schools on the National School Breakfast Programme – something we have long campaigned for.
By recognising the importance of breakfast for secondary-aged pupils, especially those in the most disadvantaged areas, we hope this is a positive step towards a universal offer for all secondary and early years pupils in the future. Every child and young person deserves the best start to their day, not just those in primary schools. 🥣✨
However, it’s disappointing that older pupils with SEND in special schools were overlooked in today’s #Budget2025. Breakfast provision supports life and social skills, improves their mental health, and builds confidence and connection for children and young people with SEND.
We urge the Government to make this flagship policy more inclusive and accessible for children with SEND. 🧡
#BreakfastPowersOpportunity
Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children.
This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on.
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#SYP83
If you told February 2024 me that 18 months later she would have a motion passed at a @officialsyp sitting she would not believe you.
My first sitting was a success, from passing my motion to singing Taylor Swift at the party to spending time with some of the best 1/?
In her Members’ Business today, @SarahBoyack will lead a debate on the Scottish Youth Parliament’s work on transport and calls to improve young people’s access to affordable and reliable services.
📑 Full motion: https://t.co/fZlBy0Pzpl
📺 Watch live from 12pm: https://t.co/uojWdO2MFc
people is something I’ll never forget.
A big thank you to SYP and Renfrewshire for putting together this amazing event. Craig, Jen and Donna for the support they have given me. Freya, Emma and Rhyan for being the best team to work with. My Auntie for allowing me to stay with you
#SYP83 - Day 1
Today I presented my motion on Free Breakfasts in Scottish Secondary Schools, which I encouraged all MSYPs to vote agree on it.
We also launched our manifesto “Dear Scotland’s Future” which was very exciting.
It was so lovely meeting everyone
This action by @scotgov is fantastic and demonstrates exactly what the role of government should be:
targeted investment to lower the cost of living and make people’s lives easier.
@Mustard_MSYP and @EmmaMSYP had an excellent time today watching a brilliant performance from this years Drama for Wellbeing group. Well done to everyone involved!
📣 North Ayrshire Council is proud to be one of eight pilot local authorities to receive temporary funding that will now see the free school meals expansion include S1 to S3 school pupils in all nine of our secondary schools, meaning that even more young people across North Ayrshire will have access to a free meal during term time.
Funding has been provided for one school year; therefore, this temporary provision will run from Wednesday 20 August 2025 until Tuesday 30 June 2026.
S1, S2 and S3 pupils will receive a free school meal if their parent/caregiver is currently in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
Full details in the news release: https://t.co/Cmfynv0iD1
Currently, the Scottish Government’s free school meal provision covers all Primary 1 to Primary 5 pupils, as well as expanded provision for children in Primary 6 and 7 if their parent or caregiver is in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.
#FightingPovertyNA