Marcus Rashford’s free school meal plea rejected by government
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Boris Johnson has rejected footballer Marcus Rashford’s calls to extend free school meals over October half term and the Christmas holidays.
Rashford, who successfully campaigned for free school meals to be extended over Easter and the summer break, has called on the government to feed vulnerable children during school holidays until the end of the year.
In a petition, which has amassed almost 100,000 signatures within 24 hours, the Manchester United and England forward is also asking for free school meals to be extended to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefits and for the the value of Healthy Start vouchers, for new parents to spend on milk, formula and food basics, to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.
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A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said: “We took that decision to extend free school meals during the pandemic when schools were partially closed during lockdown. We’re in a different position now with schools back open to all pupils.
“It’s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays. We believe the best way to support families outside of term time is through Universal Credit rather than government subsidising meals.”
A defiant Rashford, who was last week awarded and MBE for services to children and families, said on Twitter: “Merry Christmas kids...
“It’s 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 soon and neither am I…”
Robert Halfon, chair of the government’s education select committee added: “This is very disappointing from Boris Johnson.
“We need a long-term plan to combat child food hunger, especially given 32 per cent of families have had a drop in income since March.”
Most recent figures show that across the UK 1.4m children are currently receiving free school meals while a further 900,000 families registered for them over lockdown.