Tommy Sheridan: An investment in the future

Mr Sheridan said: "In other words this is a commitment not for the current Scottish Executive but on the incoming executive after the next election.

"The argument here is not about: 'What will you cut now to pay for it?'.

"The argument is, what will you do to provide for this in the next Scottish government budget?"

The cost of the proposals has been estimated at �1.68 per child, per day.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary move to end divisions within the school gates, but critics argue it represents a poor use of resources.

Health and well-being

It is estimated that around 30,000 children in Scotland who are eligible for school meals do not claim them.

Campaigners blame the stigma attached to the process and say the bill will remove negative perceptions and ensure pupils do not feel differently from their classmates.

Mr Sheridan called it an investment in the future health and well-being of Scotland's children.

The bill has three basic aims which include, free school meals for all children in state schools, to set nutritional standards down in law, and to ensure there is the maximum uptake.

All the evidence shows that giving children a nutritional, healthy meal not only improves their health but actually improves their educational attainment as well. This is an investment in the future of our children.

Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan

Mr Sheridan told BBC Radio Scotland one in five children do not claim free meals because of the "stigma" attached.

The Glasgow MSP said: "All the evidence shows that giving children a nutritional, healthy meal not only improves their health but actually improves their educational attainment as well. This is an investment in the future of our children."

Universal provision is the most efficient and effective way of ensuring all children are getting the nutrition they need, he said.

"These kids don't pay for their jotters, they don't pay for their pencils, they don't pay for their education unless they are extremely wealthy and their parents send them to private schools, so why should they pay for nutrition while they are at school. It is part of their education."

He also said it was "disgraceful" that there were no nutritional standards in schools.