“We aren’t beaten yet, stand strong for the 200,000 children who haven’t had a meal to eat today and keep retweeting“
That was the message from Manchester United’s striker Marcus Rashford after Boris Johnson rejected his call for the government to offer free school meals to disadvantaged children in the summer holidays.
The striker writing for The Times’s Red Box today, urges MPs to set aside their political differences and back the measure.
He writes: “I am asking that all MPs in parliament put their rivalries aside and stand in solidarity on an issue that could prove detrimental to the stability of families across the country for generations to come. Help us break the cycle of hardship.”
Under the scheme, vouchers worth £15 are given to families each week to use in supermarkets. But the scheme is due to end next month.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister understands the issues facing families across the UK, which is why last week the government announced an additional £63 million for local authorities to benefit families who are struggling to afford food and other basic essentials. The PM will respond to Marcus Rashford’s letter as soon as he can — he has been using his profile . . . to highlight some very important issues.”
