Free School Meals to Continue - 22nd June 2020

Footballer Marcus Rashford has made the UK government change its plans. Because of him, children will continue to receive free meals this summer.

About 1.3 million children in England receive free school meals. As schools are closed because of coronavirus, children get vouchers to use in supermarkets. This continued over the Easter holidays but it was going to stop in the summer holiday.

Manchester United player Marcus Rashford wanted the government to continue free meals. He wrote a letter to politicians this week. It said that no child should go to bed hungry.

This issue is important to Rashford. When he was young, his family was poor. He received free school meals and free food from charities. He needed this help from the community to become a good football player.

Because of Rashford’s letter, the government has changed its decision. Children will continue to get free school meals this summer.

Rashford is pleased the government changed its decision. He tweeted, "Just look at what we can do when we come together."