Rashford wins battle for free school meals
Government U-turn backs footballer’s efforts to ensure poorer children are fed during summer holiday
Marcus Rashford, the 22-year-old England footballer, yesterday won his battle over the provision of free meal vouchers for schoolchildren. The Manchester United striker called on MPS to “put their rivalries aside”, as Conservatives backbenchers lined up to rebel against the Government, which had previously refused to extend the policy. Boris Johnson made an about-turn and 1.3 million schoolchildren will be given vouchers for meals over the summer holidays.
AN UNLIKELY battle for free school meals between a 22-year-old England striker and Downing Street saw the footballer score a resounding victory.
Marcus Rashford was last night congratulated by the Prime Minister for his campaign to get free school meals extended into the summer.
Mr Rashford had rallied MPS across all parties to “put their rivalries aside”, as Conservatives lined up to rebel against the Government, which had previously refused to extend the policy outside term time.
Despite a Cabinet minister speaking out against Mr Rashford’s efforts yesterday morning and the Government saying it would whip the Tories to oppose the motion, by lunchtime Boris Johnson had made a U-turn.
Now 1.3 million schoolchildren will be given vouchers for meals over the summer holiday, the government announced, launching a new “Covid summer food fund”.
Payment will be made through six weeks’-worth of vouchers, valued at £15 a week, and given to families at the end of term to use in supermarkets. It will apply to all children who qualify for free school meals and cost about £120million in additional funding agreed by the Treasury.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “This is a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances. Those eligible will be those who already qualify for school meals.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is another welcome U-turn from Boris Johnson. The thought of 1.3 million children going hungry this summer was unimaginable. Well done to Marcus Rashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The scheme will not continue beyond the summer” adding that the Government’s intention is to get schools up and running in September.
In an emotional open letter to MPS posted on Monday, Mr Rashford drew on his own experience of relying on free school meals and food banks growing up.
After the policy change was announced, Mr Rashford spoke to the Prime Minister on the phone. The footballer’s spokesman said: “Marcus thanked the Prime Minister for U-turning on a decision that could have been detrimental to the stability of families across the country.”
Earlier in the day, Thérèse Coffey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, faced widespread criticism after clashing with Mr Rashford on Twitter over his calls for people showering “this morning… [to] take a second to think about parents who had their water turned off during lockdown.”
Challenging his comment, Ms Coffey responded: “Water cannot be disconnected though.” After the Government announced the policy change, Mr Rashford said in a statement: “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.” He added: “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.”