Peter Capaldi Addresses Key Scottish School Issue in Holyrood Election
Peter Capaldi has urged stronger action on child poverty ahead of the Holyrood election. He welcomed a pledge to expand breakfast clubs to all primary pupils by 2027. But the actor warned the promise alone will not be enough.
Personal experience informs appeal
Capaldi, best known for playing the 12th Doctor and Malcolm Tucker, drew on his childhood in east Glasgow. He said he grew up in a tenement in the 1960s and saw poverty across the city.
He described a community spirit from that period. He argued that sense of belonging is weaker today.
What he is asking of politicians
Writing exclusively for Filmogaz.com’s Unspun politics newsletter, Capaldi urged the next Holyrood administration to go further. He did not back any party. Instead, he pressed for policies that ensure children are fed and ready to learn.
He also backed the Scotland’s Forgotten Children campaign. The campaign calls for the Scottish Child Payment to rise to £40 per week.
School breakfasts and wider investment
Capaldi described the Scottish Government’s plan to roll out breakfast clubs by 2027 as encouraging. He noted a similar programme in England was recently accelerated. Still, he said there should be no reason for a child to begin a school day hungry.
He called for broader investment in the next generation. He said that investing in children is investing in Scotland’s future.
Responses from political parties
An SNP spokesman said eradicating child poverty is the party’s “number one mission”. He credited John Swinney’s leadership for reducing child poverty rates to the lowest in the UK. He highlighted plans to increase payments for under‑ones and to expand free breakfast clubs.
The spokesman criticised the UK Labour government over rising costs of essentials.
- Roz McCall, Scottish Conservatives spokeswoman, expressed support for breakfast clubs for all primary pupils.
- She accused the SNP of failing poorer families after nearly two decades in power.
- Claire Baker, Scottish Labour’s social justice spokeswoman, called child poverty a scandal and promised affordable housing and breakfast clubs.
- Jamie Greene, Scottish Liberal Democrats economy spokesman, urged action beyond “warm words” and pledged to tackle root causes.
Election context
Capaldi reminded voters that Scotland will hold an election in May. He asked the public to weigh party offers on community and child welfare before voting. He urged voters to hold elected representatives accountable on these issues.
