Marcus Rashford: free school meals campaign

Rashford one, government nil - 22nd June 2020

Following a successful campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford, the UK government has reversed its decision to cancel free school meals.

Over a million children in England normally receive free school meals. During the coronavirus lockdown, school canteens are closed but the programme is still continuing. Currently, children receive food parcels, or vouchers which they can use in supermarkets. While the scheme carried on through the Easter and May holidays, it was due to end at the beginning of the long summer break.

Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England striker, campaigned to keep the scheme going and asked the government to change its plan.

This week, he wrote an emotional letter to MPs, saying "This is not about politics; this is about humanity."

He asked the politicians, "Can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry?" Rashford believes food poverty is a big problem in England and the government should do something about it.

Rashford feels strongly about food poverty. He remembers his mother had a low-paid job while he was growing up in Wythenshawe near Manchester. They had to rely on free school meals and food banks, which he believes helped him succeed with his career in football. He said: "Without the kindness and generosity from the community, there wouldn’t be the Marcus Rashford you see today."

It’s a dramatic U-turn for the government, which had previously announced it would stop the scheme. Thanks to Marcus Rashford, around 1.3 million children will continue to receive free school meals over the six-week summer holiday.

Rashford tweeted his response to the government's decision. He said, "Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”