Children ‘at risk of going hungry for six weeks’

MP DEMANDS FREE SCHOOL MEALS SCHEME IS EXTENDED

FREE school meal vouchers should be given throughout the summer to prevent children going hungry, Salford’s MP has said.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, is demanding the government reverses a decision to withdraw funding for the vouchers over the summer holidays.

She says that with the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardship for families it is crucial they are given extra support.

In 2018 the M.E.N. reported how a food bank for children was set up in Little Hulton, Salford, after youth workers realised many youngsters who relied on breakfast clubs and school meals during term-time were not eating properly during the summer break.

Nearly 1.3m children in England are eligible for free school meals which are usually provided in school during term-time, with more than 200,000 children eligible here in the North West.

During the Covid-19 pandemic a voucher scheme has been established instead. It was extended to cover the May half-term holiday after pressure.

However, the government has confirmed the scheme will not run over the summer holidays.

Ms Long-Bailey said that with the added pressure of the coronavirus crisis plunging families into deeper poverty and social distancing raising questions on how lunch schemes may run, many families are worried about how they will afford food during the summer holidays.

The MP for Salford and Eccles said: “Covid-19 will, if it hasn’t already, plunge many families into financial hardship.

“In Salford and Eccles alone, there are 4,276 children eligible for free school meals and over 200,000 children eligible right across the North West.

“The government could choose to continue funding free school meals throughout the summer holidays but, so far, they have refused.

“The government has repeatedly said it will do ‘whatever it takes’ to help our economy through this crisis, the same should apply to children who are at risk of going hungry for six weeks this summer.

“That is why I am launching this campaign today, to ensure that all children can have a holiday without hunger.’’