The First Minister said the policy, which applies to all P1 to P5 pupils, won't be extended to all P6 and P7 pupils.

John Swinney made no mention of the SNP manifesto pledge during his Programme for Government on Wednesday.

John Swinney made no mention of the SNP manifesto pledge during his Programme for Government on Wednesday.

The Scottish Conservatives will use their Parliamentary business slots in Holyrood on Wednesday to challenge John Swinney to reverse his decision.

The First Minister said the fight to eradicate child poverty was at the heart of his Programme for Government.

The First Minister said the fight to eradicate child poverty was at the heart of his Programme for Government.

The Scottish Government suffered a defeat on peak rail fares and another on free school meals on Wednesday.

Downing Street spoke out amid growing pressure to reverse the decision which also prompted John Swinney to cut the benefit in Scotland.

Downing Street spoke out amid growing pressure to reverse the decision which also prompted John Swinney to cut the benefit in Scotland.

The first minister has revealed his spending plans after the government confirmed £500m of cuts.