CAMPAIGNERS have claimed victory after Glasgow City Council committed to write off all school meal debt.

Unite for a Workers’ Economy and the Debt Justice campaign joined forces to press councillors on the matter, resulting in a cross-party motion on Thursday, proposed by SNP education convener Christina Cannon and seconded by Scottish Labour’s Thomas Rannochan.

Welcoming the decision, Unite organiser Claire Peden said: “Unite’s campaign to ‘feed the weans’ has spurred councillors into action to write off school meal debt.

“Unite has been working with parents across Glasgow to build support across the city.

“Our grassroots activism has paid off, but there’s more work to be done.

“Unite for a Workers’ Economy will continue its campaign to end means-based ‘free’ school meals — and to provide school dinners for all children up to P7.

“With 24 per cent of Glasgow residents reporting they live in moderate to severe food poverty, it’s critical to ensure children are fed in the most important years of their lives.”

The £68,000 write-off in Glasgow forms a tiny part of the city’s budget, but campaigners and councillors alike spoke of the impact it can have on families on the margins of the means-test line, a problem heightened by the rise of zero-hours contracts and insecure work.

Mr Rannochan said: “It was great to receive cross-party support on the schools meals debt motion which saw Glasgow City Council wipe out the debt for hard-pressed families.

“It was significant that it also resolved to provide financial assistance to working families who fall just short of the threshold, where previously they have missed out.

“Let’s build on this momentum now to further help those most in need across Glasgow.”