MPs welcome extension of free school meals throughout the summer holidays

Local MPs Chris Clarkson and Tony Lloyd have welcomed the government announcement that an extra £120m will be allocated to extend the free schools meals scheme during the summer holidays to support the most vulnerable children throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement came after pressure from campaigners and footballer Marcus Rashford. Families entitled to free school meals will receive a one-off voucher at the end of the school term, worth £15 a week for the six-week school break.

Chris Clarkson, the Conservative MP for Heywood and Middleton, wrote to the Secretary of State for Education in March to urge the provision of extra money to support children – who would normally receive these meals – during the summer holidays.

He said: “I applaud Mr Rashford for sharing his experiences and using his profile to promote this worthy cause and I am heartened by the number of people across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale who have written to me about this issue.

“I will continue to monitor the government’s response to the crisis to ensure that future measures are focused on helping those most in need and continue to speak up for all of my constituents.”

Tony Lloyd, the Labour MP for Rochdale, added: “Free school meals are an essential lifeline for many families, ensuring that all children can have a nutritious meal. This is why I welcome the belated U-turn from Prime Minister Johnson, and the news that free school meal vouchers will be provided until schools reopen after the long summer holidays.

“The announcement from Downing Street came just hours before the Prime Minister was due to oppose a Labour motion in the House of Commons to ensure children would have access to food over the summer break.

“There was widespread public support, including footballer Marcus Rashford, whose emotional open letter called on the Government to continue the voucher programme.

“The logic was obvious. In a decent society we shouldn’t see our children, those whose families are living below the poverty line, go hungry.”

 

 

Rochdale Council ran a scheme in partnership with Link4Life at local libraries last summer for over 600 youngsters called Fit, Feed and Read.

The programme, which is funded by local township committees, supported children with a healthy lunch, reading, and exercising in a fun environment.

Sessions were held at Balderstone, Darnhill, Junction, Langley and Smallbridge libraries over the school summer holidays.

Responding to the Government’s announcement to extend the free school meals voucher scheme over the summer holidays, Councillor Judith Blake, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “No young person should have to go hungry and ensuring vulnerable pupils, including those on free school meals and with special educational needs and disabilities, are provided for is a top priority for councils and schools.

“We are therefore pleased that the Government has committed to provide this lifeline for many families across the country which will ensure that vulnerable children will not go hungry over the summer holidays.

“The coronavirus pandemic has shown that listening and working together can lead to policies that have positive outcomes for our most vulnerable communities, including children and young people from low-income families.

“There are an estimated 1.3 million young people entitled to free school meals, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has meant that many more families have signed up to benefits.

“Councils have done an excellent job supporting their communities during the coronavirus pandemic and will continue to work with schools, families and the Government to ensure that children and young people receive the support they need.”