Marcus Rashford: free school meals campaign

Rashford one, government nil - 22nd June 2020

Footballer Marcus Rashford has forced the government to go back on its decision to end free school meals at the start of the summer holidays.

Currently, more than a million children in England receive free school meals. While school canteens are closed during the coronavirus lockdown, this has meant receiving food parcels, or vouchers to make purchases in supermarkets. Although the scheme ran through the Easter and May half-term holidays, it was set to end when schools broke up for the summer.

Urging the government to reconsider its decision, Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford has been campaigning for the continuation of the programme.

In an emotional and powerful open letter to MPs this week, Rashford wrote, “This is not about politics; this is about humanity. Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry? Food poverty is a pandemic in England that could span generations if we don’t course correct now.”

As the son of a single mother surviving on minimum wage, food poverty is an issue close to Rashford's heart. Growing up in poverty in Wythenshawe near Manchester, he recalled his family relying on free school meals and food banks. “Without the kindness and generosity from the community there wouldn’t be the Marcus Rashford you see today; a 22-year-old black man lucky enough to make a career playing the game I love.”

Rashford's intervention has led to a dramatic U-turn from the government, which had previously announced the programme would end, with the 1.3 million children currently receiving free school meals continuing to do so during the six week summer break.

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