‘We’ll feed hungry children’ – leader
DISADVANTAGED children in Rochdale will not go hungry this half term despite the government voting against providing free school meals during the holidays.
Instead the council has stepped in to ensure more than 9,000 youngsters will continue to get substantial meals during the week-long break.
The authority is ploughing £140,000 into providing £15 Aldi vouchers to families - one for each child eligible for free school meals.
Council leader Allen Brett said: “I’m proud that we’re providing this extra support to those in need.”
During the pandemic the council has also invested nearly £600,000 on top-up vouchers for those on free school meals, supporting food banks and setting up a new food club.
Coun Brett added: “All of this is in a climate of repeated budget cuts to local authorities. We’re doing all we can and we need the government to start understanding the severity of the issue.
“No child should be going hungry.”
The move comes after Conservative MPs voted against a Labour motion inspired by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford that would have seen free school meals provided over the holidays until Easter 2021.
Coun Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It is clear that nationally we need a long term solution from the government but we also need them to provide short term support.
“Times are even harder now for families, especially if they have seen their income reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions. The work Marcus Rashford has done to highlight child hunger and poverty with his own lived experience is so powerful.
“We support his aims and where families have been let down by the government we’re stepping in to do what we can in these difficult times.”
The result of last week’s House of Commons vote has provoked anger - but also an outpouring of support for children from poorer backgrounds.
Coun Sara Rowbotham said businesses across Middleton - from butchers and grocers, to pizza parlours and chippies - had come forward with offers of help.
“We have been inundated,” she said.
“I just think it’s been emotional today, people have been really wanting to make a stand.
“It just makes me feel proud that my neighbours, and the people I live alongside really understand that there are children in need in our borough and are ready to offer whatever they can to alleviate that.
“It’s real generosity and compassion.”
Families who are struggling can also access the new food club the council runs with charity Family Action. By paying an annual membership fee of £1 families they can buy £15 of food for £3.50. Multiple purchases can be made to support larger families.
Early help teams also work with families in most need to pay for free food bags.
A council spokesperson said: “Early help support is extra help we offer to children, young people and their families when they need it. This can prevent small problems becoming big problems.
“Every family is unique and everyone can go through problems that are difficult to deal with. Sometimes families need a bit of extra support. Everyone struggles at times, it is ok to ask for help. The council is here for you and would like to support you with any issues as early as possible.”
For more information visit rochdale.gov.uk/EarlyHelp or phone the council’s early help team on 0300 303 0440 or email them at early. help@rochdale.gov.uk .