Football news- Marcus Rashford forces government into U-turn over free school meals
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 16/06/2020 at 18:03 GMT
The UK government are to extend a free school meal voucher scheme following a successful campaign by Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford warms up before a match for Manchester United
Image credit: Getty Images
"This was never about me or you, this was never about politics, this was a cry out for help from vulnerable parents all over the country and I simply provided a platform for their voices to be heard," Rashford said on Twitter.
I stand proud today knowing that we have listened, and we have done what is right. There is still a long way to go but I am thankful to you all that we have given these families just one less thing to worry about tonight. The wellbeing of our children should ALWAYS be a priority.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/06/16/2833857-58442168-2560-1440.png)
‘What on earth is going on?’ – Rashford campaign highlights major issues
Last week Rashford announced he had, in collaboration with the charity FareShare, hit his target of providing three million meals for vulnerable people within the UK.
On Sunday night, he wrote an open letter to every MP asking them to extend the national voucher scheme through the summer to ensure the most vulnerable in society have access to free meals.
On Monday, he presented his case further in the form of one-to-one interviews, detailing his own personal experiences.
Downing Street later confirmed the scheme would end when the school term ends, but performed a U-turn on Tuesday afternoon.
Before a debate in parliament, and as some lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party called for a change, PM Boris Johnson's spokesman said the government would be providing a COVID summer food fund costing around £120 million.
"Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer. To reflect this we will be providing a COVID summer food fund," his spokesman said.
THE REACTION
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement