Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected calls from England forward Marcus Rashford MBE to extend school meals over the October half-term and Christmas holidays as new tiered-systems are introduced across England to slow down a second rise of the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this summer, the Wythenshawe-born footballer’s excellent work caused the government to make a U-turn on free school meals over the lockdown period.
Government reject plans from Rashford
Government Responds to Rashford
In response to the Manchester United striker who was awarded an MBE last week for services to tackling child poverty, the Government confirmed today they had no further plans to help support struggling families.
“We took that decision to extend free school meals during the pandemic when schools were partially closed during the lockdown. We are in a different position now with schools back open to all pupils,” said a Government spokesperson.
“It’s not for schools to provide food to pupils during the school holidays. We believe the best way to support families outside of term times is through Universal Credit, rather than schools subsidising meals.”
Rashford’s Task Force
Marcus Rashford launched an online petition to urge the Prime Minister to tackle three commitments in supporting vulnerable children as part of the #endchildfoodpoverty campaign. This comes on the back of a recently released report by the Food Foundation who revealed 18 per cent of 8-17 year-olds (1.4million) children reported experiences of food poverty over the summer.
Along with the support of the Child Food Poverty Task Force and 20 charities and companies in the food industry which include Aldi, Asda, Co-op and the Food Foundation, the England forward has called for an emergency recovery package this coming winter with recommendations such as:
- Expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5m children aged between seven and 16
- Expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1m children
- Increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four
The young star responded to today’s disappointing announcement via his Twitter account, saying: “Merry Christmas kids… Its also not for food banks to feed millions of British children but here we are. 250% increase in food poverty and rising… this is not going away anytime so and neither am I….”
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