PM: We don’t want to see children going hungry
Workers at project to help feed children on school holidays moved by generosity of community
BORIS JOHNSON insisted the Government would not allow children to go hungry amid mounting anger over his refusal to extend free school meals during the half- term break.
The Prime Minister promised to do “everything in our power” to tackle holiday hunger but defended his handling of the row. Businesses, community groups and councils – including Tory- run administrations – have provided thousands of free meals for children as schools in large parts of England began their October half- term holiday.
A petition from footballer
Marcus Rashford, who has been spearheading demands for free meals to be extended in England over the school holidays, has attracted more than 900,000 signatures, piling pressure on the Government to act.
Mr Johnson, speaking during a visit to a hospital in Reading, said: “We don’t want to see children going hungry this winter, this Christmas, certainly not as a result of any inattention by this Government – and you are not going to see that.” Universal Credit had been increased by
£ 20 a week while £ 63 million was announced in June to help local authorities feed vulnerable families – although officials expect that money to have largely been spent already. Mr Johnson said: “I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger, it is there, we have to deal with it. The debate is how do you deal with it.”
VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING holiday meals to children in West Yorkshire say they have been left with “tears in their eyes” by the generosity of the community.
Those helping at the Pudsey Community Project say they have been deeply moved by the “sea of people” who have brought in what they can afford – even if that has just been a single bottle of squash.
It comes as the Government faces growing pressure to perform a second U- turn over the funding of free school meals in the holidays.
Cafe owners and restaurateurs across England are stepping up to provide tasty free meals for children over half term. Businesses from all over the country have followed Marcus Rashford’s campaign on free school meals and are digging in to help.
The Government’s social mobility watchdog also supported Rashford, saying 600,000 more children were in poverty than in 2012.
The vicar of Pudsey Parish Church, the Rev Richard Dimery, said: “We’ve just been thrilled to see a sea of people, the voluntary sector and businesses stepping forward and saying ‘ we want to help those who are in need’.”
He said: “It’s brought tears to the eyes of some of the volunteers to see people donating food – just coming in and bringing a bottle of squash or three bags full of donations. We know however many people come over the next few days and say ‘ we’re in need, can you help’ – we can say yes to that.”
One business stepping up is Midland Mencap Community Centre in Weoley Castle, Birmingham which was given more than £ 1,000 in donations to buy food over the weekend.
Coming to collect a bag of food for the week, mother- of- three Aisha said: “It’s amazing. It’s a godsend actually, because I have been struggling. The vouchers over the summer helped so much.
“The Government has spent billions so how can they not now help children who are hungry?”
Boris Johnson is facing mounting anger over his refusal to extend free school meals during the half- term break.
The Local Government Association, which represents town hall leaders, said demand for support from households facing financial hardship as a result of Covid- 19 has outstripped the funding and councils are having to find money from “stretched budgets” to top it up.
Downing Street hinted that Chancellor Rishi Sunak could announce extra support next month, pointing to comments from Health Secretary Matt Hancock that “the spending review sets out any future funding on behalf of the Government”.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has sought to exploit the disarray in the Conservative ranks by confirming Labour will force another Commons vote on the issue if Ministers do not relent in time for the Christmas holidays.
Tory former Minister Tobias Ellwood told Today it would be “churlish” not to act, adding: “The pandemic has been tough, difficult winter ahead, let’s make sure we have a programme in place which all parties can agree with.”
It’s amazing. It’s a godsend actually, because I have been struggling. Mother- of- three Aisha, collecting food at Midland Mencap Community Centre.