PROJECTS to provide free meals to children during school holidays have been given a funding boost.

Angela Constance the Equalities Secretary, announced the cash on a visit to a project in Glasgow that helps asylum seekers and refugees.

She said £1m will go to fund programmes over the next two years.

Programmes to help people escape food poverty and reliance on foodbanks are also to be funded for another year.

The Scottish Government announced the £1m for the Fair Food Fund for 2018/19.

Ms Constance said: “No child should go hungry in a country as prosperous as ours. We provide free school meals for all pupils in P1-3 and for those from a low income background throughout their time at school. But it’s clear that for some families, facing a daily struggle to make ends meet, there is an issue providing nutritious food out of school terms.

“I want to address that so I’m pleased to announce we will be investing an additional £1 million over the next two year to focus specifically on supporting children in this situation.”

She visited the Central and West Integration Network in Glasgow.

Peter Taylor, Chair of the Network, said: “Central and West Integration Network supports asylum seekers and refugees, migrant workers and black and minority ethnic people, and works with all communities to promote integration in the City Centre, West End of Glasgow, and beyond. Our work includes regular community meals and food distribution.

“Many of the people we help face long term food insecurity because of their legal status. The Fair Food Fund allows us to do more than help to meet their food needs. It enables us to do this in a socially supportive environment where opportunities for learning, positive activities and meeting people from other communities are provided.”