England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford has written to the government calling for it to do “a U-turn” on its decision not to supply free school meal vouchers over the summer holidays.
The footballer, who himself received free school meals while growing up in Manchester, told BBC Breakfast that his mother was a single parent trying to raise five children, that he remembered being hungry and that he would sometimes eat at friends’ houses if there wasn’t enough food on his own table.
He said: “This is [still] all going on at a time when kids should be concentrating on schoolwork and stuff like that and it’s crazy to think that we’re in 2020 now and it’s just something that I don’t believe should be happening.”
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“My mum did the best she could within the circumstances but sometimes, in families like mine that have four or five kids, it‘s literally impossible to take control of the situation.”
In his letter, addressed to “To all the MPs in Parliament”, Rashford says he had heard of headteachers personally covering the cost of food parcels for vulnerable families “after the school debit card has been maxed out”. He also says he relied on breakfast clubs as a child.
He calls on MPs to reconsider the decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the summer holidays and guarantee an extension.
He states: “Please, while the eyes of the country are on you, make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority.”
The letter has been retweeted more than 59,000 times, including by former education secretary Justine Greening.
Government should provide Free School Meal vouchers over the summer. I know from my experience that there are lots of difficult decisions for Ministers to take - this is an easy one. #maketheUturn https://t.co/Vc6pacJT9i
- Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) June 15, 2020
The DfE has already changed its mind on decisions not to provide free school meal vouchers over May half term and Easter holidays.
“As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are not yet able to return to school. Where this is not possible, schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils.”
The DfE confirmed today that the national voucher scheme will not run during the summer holidays and that there were no expectations for schools to provide food parcels in that time.
A DfE spokesperson said: “However, as announced this week by the prime minister, the local authority welfare assistance scheme will provide help those to who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to the impact of Covid-19. £63 million is being allocated to this important project.”
“Thousands of children will also receive additional support through our Holiday Activities and Food programme, which offers activities and free meals throughout the summer holidays.”
