MEAL DEAL!

Rashford wins battle to feed 1.3million underprivileged kids as Boris backs down

MARCUS RASHFORD has won his battle to feed 1.3 million underprivileged schoolchildren after the Government backed down over free meal vouchers yesterday.

The Manchester United and England striker’s plea to MPs calling for the scheme to be extended over the summer holidays had initially been rejected.

However, Boris Johnson made a dramatic U-turn under mounting pressure yesterday and announced that a Covid summer food fund had been set up at a cost of £120million.

Rashford, who has been installed as joint favourite with Tyson Fury to be this year’s Sports Personality of the Year, tweeted: ‘I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together. THIS is England in 2020.’

He later directed another tweet at MPs, saying: ‘This was never about me or you, this was never about politics, this was a cry out for help from vulnerable parents all over the country

and I simply provided a platform for their voices to be heard.

‘I stand proud today knowing that we have listened, and we have done what is right. There is still a long way to go but I am thankful to you all that we have given these families just one less thing to worry about tonight.

‘The wellbeing of our children should ALWAYS be a priority.’

Rashford had drawn on his own experiences growing up in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester to urge MPs to continue providing the vouchers — worth £15 a week per child — in the summer holidays when vulnerable families hit hard by the pandemic would not have been able to benefit from free school meals.

That appeal was rejected by the Department for Education on Monday, but the Prime Minister reversed the decision, confirming that a six-week voucher would now be made available.

Mr Johnson was in danger of facing a Tory revolt over the issue and becoming isolated after the Governments in Scotland and Wales announced that they would extend the scheme. ‘I talked to

Marcus Rashford and congratulated him on his campaigning, which I only became aware of today,’ said the Prime Minister yesterday. ‘I do think it is right that we should be looking after families of the vulnerable.’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer praised Rashford, who has already raised £20m with food charity FareShare to support vulnerable families, for making the Government reverse its decision. ‘This is another welcome U-turn from Boris Johnson,’ he said. ‘ The thought of 1.3m children going hungry this summer was unimaginable. Well done to Marcus Rashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue.’ Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston paid tribute to Rashford (left), who will return from a back injury to play for United at Tottenham on Friday.

‘We all received a letter from him, it was a heartfelt letter and it had an impact,’ said Mr Huddleston.

‘Not only are we looking forward to him playing again on Friday, but he is a role model and he has used his celebrity and his voice very well. I’m sure his family can be very proud of him.’