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Marcus Rashford, the England and Manchester United striker, expressed “despair” on Wednesday night when Labor’s call for free school meals to be extended over the holidays to prevent children from starving fell on closed ears in government.
In a passionate Commons debate, many MPs paid tribute to Rashford’s burgeoning campaign to end child food poverty.
But despite some unease on conservative banks, a motion to provide 1.4 million underprivileged children in England with meal vouchers of £ 15 a week during the holidays through Easter 2021 was rejected.
In response, Rashford, 22, who became an MBE on the Queen’s birthday honors list this month, told his 3.5 million followers on Twitter: “Put aside all the noise, the digging, the party politics and focus on reality. A significant number of children go to sleep tonight, not only hungry, but they feel they don’t matter because of the comments made today. “
Rashford, who has spoken of her own experience of food poverty growing up in Wythenshawe, Manchester, added: “We must stop stigmatizing, judging and pointing fingers. Our opinions are clouded by political affiliation. This is not politics, this is humanity …
“I don’t have the education of a politician. Many on Twitter have made it clear today, but I have a social upbringing after having lived through this and having spent time with the families and children most affected. These kids matter. ”He urged Boris Johnson to sit down and discuss a solution.
The footballer launched a successful campaign for the provision of food stamps during the six week summer break after schools closed for the first time in modern British history. The plan cost approximately £ 126 million. The Treasury has provided £ 210 billion in support during the crisis.
Previously, Rashford had clashed with Conservative MPs who suggested that extending free school meals “increases dependency” on the state, while cost could help “destroy the currency.”
Rashford told his supporters that he would be paying close attention to the vote and “to those who are willing to turn a blind eye to the needs of our most vulnerable children.”
His message was repudiated by former Brexit minister Steve Baker, while Mansfield MP Ben Bradley tweeted that “extending gifts is sticky plaster, not solution.”
Rashford was back on the platform during the Commons debate after a leaked memo revealed that Conservative Whips had emailed MPs with suggested interventions during the debate.
The memo suggested that MPs could highlight that the Labor Party had not extended free school meals during the holidays, to which Rashford responded: “I am desperate that we are using the issue of child food poverty to improve ourselves.”
At least one conservative deputy openly mocked the footballer’s intervention. Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “I don’t believe in nationalizing children. Instead, we have to get back to the idea of taking responsibility, and that means fewer signs of celebrity virtues on Twitter for power and more action to address the real causes of child poverty. “
David Simmonds was one of many Conservative MPs who noted that the time Rashford received free school meals occurred under a Labor government and accused the opposition of “gaining favor with wealth, power and celebrity status.”
Opening the opposition debate, Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said the proposal was not a silver bullet, but was badly needed in the short term. “Downing Street said the other day, and I quote: ‘It is not for schools to provide food to students during school holidays’ … I can’t believe I have to explain it in detail; it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that children do not go hungry. They don’t stop being hungry just because the school bell rings for the end of the term, ”he said.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was right that, during an unprecedented and unpredictable period at the start of the pandemic, additional steps were taken. “But we are in a different position now that we have welcomed all the students to the school,” he said.
“Free school meals are and always have been to support children with a meal to help them when they are at school or currently at home learning. But it is our support through universal credit and our comprehensive welfare system that supports families. “
MPs rejected the Labor motion by 322 votes to 261 with a government majority of 61.
Labor attracted the support of Robert Halfon, the Conservative chair of the Commons education committee, who
He said: “If we recognize that children are at risk of starvation in school term by providing them with free school meals, despite the provision of universal credit and the other things that have been mentioned by the government, we know that they are at risk of starving on vacation too. “
He said the additional expense could be covered by using £ 340 million a year in revenue from the sugary drinks tax. “This tax hits … lower-income families, why shouldn’t we redistribute income to fund proposed policies to help those same families facing food insecurity?”
Barry Gardiner, the Labor MP from Brent North, called the government’s position “shameful” and related a message from a director who said it was “totally unbelievable” that he needed to run a food bank from his school.
When schools closed for the spring closure, families received vouchers, which continued through summer break with a “Covid food fund” after Rashford forced the government to take a 180 degree turn.
The government has ruled out extending support for the middle of the term next week and beyond in England, though Wales has promised food support until next spring.
