Section 1 - Duty to provide free school meals
6.Section 1 of the Act amends section 53(3) of the 1980 Act. Subsections (2) and (3) insert into paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 53(3) powers to allow Scottish Ministers to prescribe other benefits or allowances and tax credits (or elements of tax credits) receipt of which (in circumstances prescribed) by pupils or their parents obliges education authorities to provide free school meals.
7.Subsection (4) provides that the first regulations made under these new powers shall have retrospective effect from 6 April 2003. Subsequent regulations made in exercise of the powers will not have such retrospective effect.