Rashford in call to get families signed up for food vouchers
FOOTBALLER Marcus Rashford has urged health professionals to help get more families in need signed up to a Government-backed food voucher scheme.
The England and Manchester United player said he is concerned that more than 40 per cent of those eligible for the Healthy Start scheme are still not registered.
He said that while thousands more have been benefiting from it after concerted efforts last year, it is possible numbers are now “plateauing”.
In an open letter to health professionals, published in the BMJ, he said: “Since November 2020, members of the Child Food Poverty Taskforce have used their channels and platforms to communicate about the Healthy Start scheme and to tell people how to access it, with the hope that we will be able to reach the majority of those most in need. While we have seen 57,000 more parents benefit from the scheme as a result, I’m concerned we are plateauing.
“More than 40% of those eligible for the vouchers are still not registered for the scheme, and I’m confident that the majority of these parents can be found in communities just like mine, where I grew up – no internet, no high street, no word of mouth.”
Rashford waged a high “gobsmacked” profile campaign last year to persuade the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable youngsters in England throughout the school holidays during the coronavirus pandemic, forcing Prime Minister Boris Johnson into a U-turn.
The 23-year-old forward has since continued to speak out about issues including child poverty and literacy.