Halifax MP thanks Marcus Rashford after campaign u-turns Government's decision on free school meals

Halifax MP Holly Lynch has thanked a footballer’s campaign which put pressure on Government to provide free school meals over summer.
Marcus Rashford (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Marcus Rashford (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The campaign, led by Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, has been seen as the catalyst in Prime Minister Boris Johnson reversing his Government’s decision to now provide Covid Summer Food Fund.

Initially, the Department for Education (DoE) had said it would not extend the voucher scheme despite an emotional letter, written by the Manchester United forward pleading MPs to u-turn the decision.

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Ms Lynch said: “Thank you to all those who have sent me Marcus Rashford’s powerful letter.

Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax and Sowerby BridgeHolly Lynch, MP for Halifax and Sowerby Bridge
Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax and Sowerby Bridge

“We have been campaigning for this and Labour’s MP for Salford & Eccles, Rebecca Long-Bailey, is continuing to push Government to do the right thing by these children.”

With lockdown easing, schools across the country have seen more pupils return to class this week.

As a result, ministers were adamant the scheme, which has replaced school lunches for many disadvantaged children during partial closures, would end when schools naturally break up in July.

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In his letter, Mr Rashford said: “My mum worked full-time, earning minimum wage to make sure we always had a good evening meal on the table. But it was not enough. The system was not built for families like mine to succeed.

Prime Minister Boris JohnsonPrime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson

“During this pandemic, people are existing on a knife’s edge: one missed bill is having a spiral effect, the anxiety and stress of knowing poverty is the main driver of children ending up in care.”

The move came after Mr Rashford wrote an open letter this week asking the Government to reverse its decision not to award free school meals vouchers to vulnerable children outside of term time.

Mr Rashford, who has raised £20m to boost food distribution with the charity FareShare, has garnered significant media interest with his campaign.

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The scheme costs £120m (£15-a-week per child), and will be available to eligible children in England, lasting six weeks. Additionally, Government have pledged £63m for councils to help families and children over the summer holidays.

Downing Street has announced the one-off £120m fund will benefit some 1.3 million children in England over the six-week summer period following the footballer’s campaign.

The letter in full can be found here.