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| Boris Johnson makes U-turn on free school meals after Marcus Rashford campaign | |
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| ‘Covid summer food fund’ announced after pressure from campaigners including footballer Marcus Rashford | ‘Covid summer food fund’ announced after pressure from campaigners including footballer Marcus Rashford |
| Boris Johnson has executed a humiliating U-turn over free school meals for the poorest families over the summer, announcing a new £120m voucher scheme after pressure from footballer Marcus Rashford. | Boris Johnson has executed a humiliating U-turn over free school meals for the poorest families over the summer, announcing a new £120m voucher scheme after pressure from footballer Marcus Rashford. |
| Just hours before Labour was due to force a vote on the issue in the House of Commons, risking a rebellion from Conservative backbenchers, the prime minister’s official spokesman announced a new £120m “Covid summer food fund” for pupils in England. | Just hours before Labour was due to force a vote on the issue in the House of Commons, risking a rebellion from Conservative backbenchers, the prime minister’s official spokesman announced a new £120m “Covid summer food fund” for pupils in England. |
| “Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the PM fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer,” he said. | “Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the PM fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer,” he said. |
| The U-turn came after ministers repeatedly rejected the idea of extending the scheme over the summer, as they did over the Easter break. | The U-turn came after ministers repeatedly rejected the idea of extending the scheme over the summer, as they did over the Easter break. |
| Asked if Rashford’s pleas had helped to change the prime minister’s mind, his spokesman said: “The prime minister welcomes Marcus Rashford’s contribution to the debate around poverty, and respects the fact that he has been using his profile as a sportsman to highlight important issues.” | Asked if Rashford’s pleas had helped to change the prime minister’s mind, his spokesman said: “The prime minister welcomes Marcus Rashford’s contribution to the debate around poverty, and respects the fact that he has been using his profile as a sportsman to highlight important issues.” |
| He said families entitled to free school meals would receive a one-off voucher at the end of the school term, worth £15 a week for the six-week school break, which they can spend in supermarkets. | He said families entitled to free school meals would receive a one-off voucher at the end of the school term, worth £15 a week for the six-week school break, which they can spend in supermarkets. |
| Rashford had stepped up his campaign to pressure the UK government into feeding hungry children during the school holidays. | Rashford had stepped up his campaign to pressure the UK government into feeding hungry children during the school holidays. |
| Responding to the government’s U-turn on school meal vouchers after his campaign, Rashford said on Twitter: “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.” | Responding to the government’s U-turn on school meal vouchers after his campaign, Rashford said on Twitter: “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.” |
| The government’s reversal prompted an outpouring of praise for the Manchester United forward. | The government’s reversal prompted an outpouring of praise for the Manchester United forward. |
| Gary Lineker, the TV presenter and former England striker, wrote: “Great to see @ManUtd’s number 10 changing policy at number 10. Extraordinary campaign and win for the brilliant @MarcusRashford.” | Gary Lineker, the TV presenter and former England striker, wrote: “Great to see @ManUtd’s number 10 changing policy at number 10. Extraordinary campaign and win for the brilliant @MarcusRashford.” |
| Labour leader Keir Starmer welcomed “another U-turn” from Boris Johnson, weeks after the prime minister allowed the families of migrant NHS cleaners who die from coronavirus to stay in the UK. | Labour leader Keir Starmer welcomed “another U-turn” from Boris Johnson, weeks after the prime minister allowed the families of migrant NHS cleaners who die from coronavirus to stay in the UK. |
| “The thought of 1.3 million children going hungry this summer was unimaginable. | “The thought of 1.3 million children going hungry this summer was unimaginable. |
| “Well done to Marcus Rashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue,” Starmer said. | “Well done to Marcus Rashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue,” Starmer said. |
| Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, who wrote to the chancellor Rishi Sunak last week about the need for a change in policy, thanked Rashford. | Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, who wrote to the chancellor Rishi Sunak last week about the need for a change in policy, thanked Rashford. |
| “Today’s announcement will help many families, but there will still be four million children living in poverty, a number that could increase following the Covid crisis.” | “Today’s announcement will help many families, but there will still be four million children living in poverty, a number that could increase following the Covid crisis.” |
| Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “There should never have been any hesitation on the part of government. | Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “There should never have been any hesitation on the part of government. |
| “The hardship and struggle our current benefit system and support for those living in poverty will not end with the containment of this virus. Covid-19 is a natural phenomenon – poverty is not.” | “The hardship and struggle our current benefit system and support for those living in poverty will not end with the containment of this virus. Covid-19 is a natural phenomenon – poverty is not.” |
| Labour was seeking to maximise the government’s embarrassment and force a U-turn, by using an opposition day debate in the House of Commons to hold a vote on extending the voucher scheme. | Labour was seeking to maximise the government’s embarrassment and force a U-turn, by using an opposition day debate in the House of Commons to hold a vote on extending the voucher scheme. |
| Johnson’s U-turn came after increasing pressure from senior Conservative backbenchers including the former minister George Freeman and the chair of the education select committee, Robert Halfon. | Johnson’s U-turn came after increasing pressure from senior Conservative backbenchers including the former minister George Freeman and the chair of the education select committee, Robert Halfon. |
| Praising the government’s change of heart, Tory MP Chris Green tweeted: “Like Marcus Rashford I grew up as one of five children and I received free school meals. | Praising the government’s change of heart, Tory MP Chris Green tweeted: “Like Marcus Rashford I grew up as one of five children and I received free school meals. |
| “That’s why I’m pleased that the government is extending free schools meals this summer because of the exceptional circumstances arising from Covid-19.” | “That’s why I’m pleased that the government is extending free schools meals this summer because of the exceptional circumstances arising from Covid-19.” |
| Another Conservative, Tim Loughton, posted: “Delighted ministers have listened to Conservative backbenchers lobbying for free school meals.” | Another Conservative, Tim Loughton, posted: “Delighted ministers have listened to Conservative backbenchers lobbying for free school meals.” |
| On Tuesday morning, the Manchester United player began tweeting about the UK’s poorest families, who cannot afford to pay their water and electricity bills or put food on the table. | On Tuesday morning, the Manchester United player began tweeting about the UK’s poorest families, who cannot afford to pay their water and electricity bills or put food on the table. |
| One cabinet minister was criticised after weighing into the debate to correct one of Rashford’s tweets, in which he said: “When you wake up this morning and run your shower, take a second to think about parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown.” | One cabinet minister was criticised after weighing into the debate to correct one of Rashford’s tweets, in which he said: “When you wake up this morning and run your shower, take a second to think about parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown.” |
| Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, replied: “Water cannot be disconnected though.” | Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, replied: “Water cannot be disconnected though.” |
| Rashford replied, noting: “I’m concerned this is the only tweet of mine you acknowledged. Please, put rivalries aside for a second, and make a difference #maketheuturn.” | Rashford replied, noting: “I’m concerned this is the only tweet of mine you acknowledged. Please, put rivalries aside for a second, and make a difference #maketheuturn.” |