New winter grant is not a Government U-turn on free school meals, says MP
A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE MP who got into a spat with footballer Marcus Rashford over free school meals has denied that the Government has done a U-turn on the issue.
Ben Bradley, Conservative MP for Mansfield, caused a social media storm last month over his comments on the issue and has continued to back the Government’s line.
Mr Bradley was vocal in his support for the decision to vote down the Labour motion calling for free school meals vouchers to be extended through the October half-term and beyond.
The MP spoke out on numerous occasions, saying support should be more “targeted” to reach families falling through the cracks of the system.
And now, in a significant climb-down on the issue, the Government has announced its new “Covid Winter Grant” scheme.
The project is a £170 million pot aimed at supporting children and families through the winter, offering money to councils to support families hardest hit during the pandemic.
The aim of the scheme is to provide funds for food, heating and to help families struggling to pay the bills, and is part of the government’s plan to “tackle hunger, health and education”.
Mr Bradley said: “Contrary to really frustrating headlines, this is not a U-turn on free school meals. This is exactly what I was saying at that time was the Government’s better and more generous approach to supporting families in need, instead of just ticking a box with an ineffective and badly targeted national scheme [like free school meals].
“We voted no because we didn’t want to just extend school responsibilities and make them part of the welfare system. We wanted to help, but help better.
“As I said in the week following that vote, we’re looking at a more targeted, local and effective mechanism of delivering support. Free school meals go to lots of people who may not need the help whilst missing out lots of those who do.
“So instead we’re going to fund better targeted and more rounded support via local councils.
“Yes, this support will help with food and bills etc where that’s needed, but will also offer more long term interventions to help people to move forward and to live independently.”
Lee Anderson, Ashfield’s Conservative MP, also described the Covid Winter Grant scheme as “welcome news” and says it is “a far better idea” than free school meals.
He said: “[This is] more targeted support for vulnerable families in Nottinghamshire. This support will mean no child goes hungry, holiday clubs [are funded] during school holidays, more face-to-face support and early intervention to families most in need. [It is] a far better idea of the free school meal vouchers for all on Universal Credit, and a much better use of taxpayers’ money.”