‘No child will go to bed hungry’

City MP slams Government as she launches meals appeal

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has hit out at the Government’s pandemic message that the country was “all in this together”, saying the school meals debate has proved this was “clearly no longer the case”.

Ms Hobhouse, inset, was the only Somerset MP to vote in favour of the extension of free school meals into holidays, and was vocal in her support for the policy on social media prior to the vote.

She said on Twitter on October 21: “I will vote to extend free school meals into the holidays. No child should go hungry.

“That we are even having these debates demonstrates the cruel approach of this country’s Conservative leadership, and sheer contempt for those who are struggling.”

In the aftermath of the decision, she further tweeted her belief that free meals should be extended over Christmas, saying: “We are at a moment in our history where the governing party does not believe that 4.2 million children should be fed at Christmas time.”

The MP has now launched a public fundraising effort alongside the charity 3GS, the Holiday Hunger Appeal, calling on the Bath and North East Somerset community to donate what they can to to help alleviate food hunger over the coming weeks and months.

She said: “The Government started this pandemic by saying ‘we are all in this together’. That is clearly no longer the case. No parent chooses not to feed their child, and no child chooses not to eat. We are in the midst of a pandemic, and more and more families in Bath and North East Somerset are facing financial hardship.

“I have teamed up with 3SG and other local organisations to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in our communities over the coming weeks and months.

“I am leading the B&NES Holiday Hunger Appeal with 3SG, and I hope people can give as generously as possible.”

James Carlin, inset, director of 3SG, said: “3SG is an independent charity whose mission is to promote charitable activities and facilitate co-operation between community organisations and statutory bodies in B&NES.

“We are pleased to host this appeal and will work with local charities and partners to ensure the funding reaches the people that need it most.”

The appeal has already raised over £15,000 of a £50,000 target.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants up and down the country have stepped in to help families in need by offering free meals over the holidays.

This comes after MPS voted to reject the free schools meal campaign started by England footballer Marcus Rashford.

Now businesses in and around Bath have joined forces to support struggling families this halfterm.

A Facebook group has been set up for those wanting to help deliver food, called Half Term Helpers.

Kevin Guy, Liberal democrat councillor for children’s services, has promised to help the 4,000 children in Bath and North East Somerset who get free school meals.

He said: “I am appalled at the Government’s recent decision not to extend the free school meal provision for the upcoming holidays.

“In B&NES we have more than 4,000 children who are eligible to receive free school meals and I am working with my cabinet colleagues and local charities on how we might be able to provide the funding for these children up to the Easter holidays next year.”

“All options will be explored to ensure no child in B&NES goes hungry over the holiday periods.”

Labour councillors are calling on the council to provide food vouchers to children on free school meals over half-term and the Christmas break. They have submitted a motion to the next council meeting (November 12) which would commit the council to providing vouchers of £15 per week for every child on free school meals over the two-week Christmas break this year.

They also state they want to see more long-term solutions to the issue of child food poverty, from the council and the Government.

Cllr Liz Hardman, the Labour group’s spokesperson for children and food poverty, said: “The superb campaigning of Marcus Rashford has highlighted a problem which we know has been around for years but has been made much worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am pleased to be part of a working group looking at what we can do to eliminate food poverty completely, but we need this sticking plaster immediately otherwise there will be children going hungry in our area this winter.”