Marcus Rashford wins free school meals for kids over summer

Marcus Rashford wins free school meals for kids over summer in massive Tory U-turn



Boris Johnson's decision is a victory for footballer Marcus Rashford - whose campaign will now help 1.3million children to the tune of £15 a week


More than a million children in England will now get free meal vouchers over the summer holidays after a massive Tory U-turn.



The Manchester United star captured hearts when he drew on his own upbringing by a single mum, and urged to PM not to let kids go hungry.

Now the government has U-turned and poured an extra £120m into a one-off "Covid summer food fund".

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That's another burden for the taxpayers. I can understand during term time but here we go again where working does not pay.

That's another burden for the taxpayers. I can understand during term time but here we go again where working does not pay.

I suppose at the end of the day it's just a matter of opinion, but personally it staggers me that anyone would begrudge helping poorer families get some more support to ensure their kids don't starve; especially in the midst of a global pandemic where those with lower paying jobs are the most in danger of instability.

Massive respect to Rashford for all the work he does and money he spends to help those in need. No doubt some people will manage to portray the lad in a negative light though

That's another burden for the taxpayers. I can understand during term time but here we go again where working does not pay.

What a glib,ignorant comment.I'd gladly contribute extra tax wise.Many of these kids parents ARE working but still struggle to give the kids food.Already happening in Wales and Scotland.

This man has almost single handedly done the impossible by making this sjamless bunch of twats that call themselves a government do the right thing.

Well done Marcus Rashford.

Well done Marcus Rashford.now my favorite footballer.

This is such a good thing he has done, he knows that not everyone has everything

It's a very good cause, but how does it work out at £15 a week per child. It's to cover 1 meal a day you can get a bag of potatoes, carrots, frozen peas and 5 chicken breasts for about £8

It's a very good cause, but how does it work out at £15 a week per child. It's to cover 1 meal a day you can get a bag of potatoes, carrots, frozen peas and 5 chicken breasts for about £8

Plus associated costs, which will include staffing and utilities such as gas, electricity, etc., etc....

That's another burden for the taxpayers. I can understand during term time but here we go again where working does not pay.

What a glib,ignorant comment.I'd gladly contribute extra tax wise.Many of these kids parents ARE working but still struggle to give the kids food.Already happening in Wales and Scotland.

This man has almost single handedly done the impossible by making this sjamless bunch of twats that call themselves a government do the right thing.

Well done Marcus Rashford.

Brilliant reply I second it

Listening to that bell end on radio5 this afternoon - a couple of days ago he was almost demanding the Govt change their policy as Rashford had requested.

Today they make a decision to carry on with the school meals and the same idiot is now saying how the govt u turned.

Well done Marcus Rashford. A top class footballer who has a brain and put it to good use to try to support the less fortunate.
You made Boris think again and has the support of the media along with most of the nation.
Shame the usual few people worry about having a penny or two less in their pocket each week as a result!

The prime minister said at the Downing Street briefing that he only became aware “today” of footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to make the government change its mind on not extending free school meal vouchers in England over the summer.

The government has now relented and says it will continue to run the scheme during the summer holiday and Boris Johnson has congratulated the player.

Marcus Rashford first raised his concerns on Twitter on 10 June when he asked “Anybody know who I can talk to about the government food voucher scheme?”

Labour has also been campaigning on the issue and sent a letter about it to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on 8 June. It was also raised in the House of Commons on 9 June.

In England, about 1.3 million children claimed free school meals in 2019, or about 15% of state-educated pupils. Extending the scheme over the summer will cost around £120m.

It's obviously a good thing for kids who need it to have free meals, and I don't begrudge it to them. But as we all know, there are people who will take the piss out of every situation. My wife was a school cook for years, and she told me that the free school meal tickets were to a certain amount, and if they spent over that amount they'd have to make the difference up in cash. She told me that time and time again they would hand over a ten pound note for the extra 30 or 40 pence.

England catching up with Wales and Scotland again! Shame it took a young footballer to get the whole government machine to make a u-turn. Johnson didn't even know about Rashford's campaign until today! Doesn't he and his chums watch the news?

That's another burden for the taxpayers. I can understand during term time but here we go again where working does not pay.

What a glib,ignorant comment.I'd gladly contribute extra tax wise.Many of these kids parents ARE working but still struggle to give the kids food.Already happening in Wales and Scotland.

This man has almost single handedly done the impossible by making this sjamless bunch of twats that call themselves a government do the right thing.

Well done Marcus Rashford.

Didn't Rashford offer to pay for it himself ? - I wonder how much he donated in the end

England catching up with Wales and Scotland again! Shame it took a young footballer to get the whole government machine to make a u-turn. Johnson didn't even know about Rashford's campaign until today! Doesn't he and his chums watch the news?

Out of touch - That's the 3rd or 4th U - Turn in the last 3 weeks

So much for Dominic Cummings - The Advisor to the Gov who is touch with the UK Public

Well done Rashford what a story!

Free school meals were planned to end. How that is a U-turn is a mystery. Maybe they shouldn’t have done it, and forego the accusation.

I cannot believe the "work does not pay" brigade sheer ignorance and a Sun Says mentality.My sister in law works in a food bank the vast majority of those that are helped go to work every day..open your eyes! Yes there are layabouts asking for handouts try starting with the f*cking Royal Family and the hangers on , or Prince "Paedo lover" Andrew and his stinking lot.