Mr Johnson told the press conference: “I talked to Marcus Rashford today to congratulate him on his campaigning, which to be honest I only became aware of very recently – today.“I thank him for what he has done. “Those most at risk aren’t in a position and don’t have the platform to scream help from the top of the rooftops but, for those ready to speak, my intention is to offer them the platform to do so, and for those who aren’t, I will continue to be their voice and act on their behalf.“When we pause, listen and reflect on what the future of our next generation could potentially look like it’s easy to see that if we don’t take action quickly, the issue of child food poverty will have devastating effects on the stability of our country.
Boris Johnson has said he congratulated footballer Marcus Rashford for his campaign which forced the Government to provide free school meals during the summer. In an announcement that stunned Hollywood, Boseman's family said he had been diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago and died surrounded by his loved ones, including wife Taylor Simone Ledward. {{#replies}} {{#singleComment}}{{value}} Comment{{/singleComment}}{{^singleComment}}{{value}} Comments{{/singleComment}} “The food industry will be standing side by side to shed light on the issue of child food poverty in the UK, an issue that is far greater than any one brand, one person or one supermarket,” wrote Rashford.The task force is calling for the expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5 million 7-16 year olds; expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1 million children; and increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four.Rashford secured a major victory when forcing a government u-turn following an initial decision to scrap free school meal vouchers during the summer.He says that represents a short-term measure, and with pupils across the country returning to classes this week, now is the time to step up the campaign.“I have been lucky enough to spend time with families who have benefited significantly from the extended food voucher scheme,” wrote Rashford.“I have sat with parents who have cried with sheer relief that putting food on their children’s plates was one less thing to worry about this summer.
I think he is right to draw attention to this issue, and basically we’ve got large numbers of kids who haven’t been able to get back into school.“We’ve got a problem about getting kids back into school in the way that we would want, for the reasons that people understand, though actually there are lots of kids who could go back to school now who aren’t going back to school and I’d like to see that happen.“I do think it’s right that we should be looking after families of the most vulnerable and the neediest right now and that’s why we have got the Covid summer food plan, which we’ve announced today, and I hope it will make a big difference to those kids and those families.”The Prime Minister added on the school meals campaign: “We set out a voucher scheme for the first couple of holidays.“Clearly free school meals should generally apply in term time, that’s what they are there for. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate?
The Prime Minister announced that the scheme would be extended in the form of a one-off voucher from the Covid Summer Food Fund. Marcus Rashford expressed his delight following the news that Boris Johnson has performed a U-turn on the plan to end free school meal vouchers …
Marcus Rashford called by Boris Johnson and congratulated after Government makes school meals U-turn