Marcus Rashford: free school meals campaign

Rashford’s school meals victory - 22nd June 2020

Football hero Marcus Rashford has scored a goal against the government after spearheading a campaign against food poverty, forcing it to make a major policy U-turn on ending free school meals. Currently, 1.3 million children in England are entitled to receive free school meals under a scheme that has continued during the coronavirus lockdown in the form of food parcels or supermarket vouchers since school canteens remain closed. In an unprecedented move, the programme was extended to cover the Easter and May half-term holidays but had been announced as coming to an end when schools break up for the summer.

Moved by the prospect of children facing empty plates, England forward Marcus Rashford made a heartfelt plea to the government, asking it to reconsider the decision. Speaking from the heart in a moving and powerful open letter to MPs this week, Rashford wrote, “This is not about politics; this is about humanity.” He urged squabbling politicians to put their political affiliations to one side, asking, “Can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry?” and pointing out “Food poverty is a pandemic in England that could span generations if we don’t course correct now.”

Growing up poor in the Manchester area of Wythenshawe to a single mother on a low-income, tackling food poverty is a personal goal for Rashford. Drawing on his own childhood dependence on free school meals and food banks, he said, “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.”

Following the very public pressure brought to bear by Rashford's campaign, the government has since rescinded their original decision to suspend the free meals. Now, more than a million children and their parents can feel assured that there will be food on the table over the summer.

On Twitter, Rashford welcomed the government's decision, saying “Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”