Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DOCS: PM MUST LISTEN
Demand for free school hol meals 1,200 medics call for Tory U-turn
DOCTORS have written an open letter to Boris Johnson demanding he make a policy U-turn and provide free meals in school holidays.
More than 1,000 have put their names to it after Tories sparked fury by voting against Man Utd footballer Marcus Rashford’s school dinners plan.
They felt “compelled to act” after seeing the heartbreaking impact of hunger on poorer children during the breaks.
The letter, signed by 1,200 registered doctors, says that while politicians in Scotland,
Wales and North Ireland are aiding school holiday meal supply, rejection of the proposal in England means “over a million children will go hungry”. It came out on the day the British Medical Association also demanded that the Prime Minister reverse the “shameful” decision. The letter says: “We see the effects of poverty on individual children ... the health impacts of not eating enough ... the children who can’t concentrate in school. We see the effects of malnutrition ... the impact on the mental health of these children and their families.”
It continues: “We cannot stand by and watch our patients be placed in danger in this way.”
The move comes amid hopes the Government is on the brink of another major about-turn after the Manchester United star, 22, inspired a national effort to provide meals for hungry child re n a t h a l f - t e r m . Bu si n e ss e s , including food outlets, have shamed the Government by pledging to help an estimated 200,000 children in need.
Dr Julia Patterson, chief executive of Everydoctor which organised the letter, said: “Roughly 30% of all children in the UK live in poverty.
“These children have names and faces. They are our patients. Covid-19 has pushed so many people to the brink – losing their jobs, cut off from family, struggling to make ends meet.
“The Government needs to step up and support communities, support
ever y single child in Britain. UK doctors feel compelled to speak up because a lack of food has health consequences.
“Starvation kills. No child deserves to go hungry or starve.
“We will not stop our campaigning until the situation changes.”
Reports suggest more than 100 Tory MPS could vote against the policy in the Commons if Labour initiates another vote on the issue.
A Co Durham GP said:
“Our village foodbank has seen a one-third increase in footfall. I’ve dealt with people telling me they lost their jobs and can’t afford food or rent.
“Patients told me they’re glad the children went back to school because it eased the financial pressures.”
The British Medical Association, the registered trade union for doctors, yesterday also demanded a policy reversal by No 1 0 . Its board chairwoman, Prof Dame Parveen Kumar, said: “The shameful refusal to extend the school meals scheme will directly impact the most disadvantaged children.
'With half-term starting today, it beggars belief that so many are having to try to persuade the Government to reverse this decision.
“A free school meal is the main daily nutrition source for many children and can have a huge impact on their health. The Covid pandemic has brought many families even further hardship.
“As well as providing a meal for children whose families can’t otherwise afford it, extending the scheme may be the only access some have to a nutritional, healthy meal as opposed to harmful, unhealthy foods during school holidays.
“The Government must immediately reverse its decision as it knows full well many children may go hungry and undernourished as a result.”
Thousands of free meals were yesterday provided to children by businesses, councils and community groups on the first day of half term.