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Matt Hancock has insisted that the government does not need to extend free school meals beyond the class period in England because local councils have been funded to support underprivileged children.
The UK health secretary took a noticeably more conciliatory tone in media interviews on Monday, following a weekend of headlines critical of the government on the issue, and growing unrest among backing Conservative MPs. .
Despite some reports forecasting a partial escalation from the refusal to fund free school meals for poorer families this semester and over the Christmas holidays, Hancock defended the government’s stance, saying it had already provided “a great deal of investment. additional”.
Hancock went out of his way to praise Marcus Rashford, the England and Manchester United footballer, whose campaign has brought the issue to public prominence, and said Boris Johnson would respond to a letter from the player.
“I fully agree with the purpose of the campaign led by Marcus Rashford,” Hancock told Sky News. “I think we are all inspired by the way he ran that campaign. And the purpose is that no child goes hungry, and that is correct.
“The question is how do we fulfill it, and that is why I think there is a need during this pandemic, and at all times, for the country to come together and support the people and that is what we are doing by making that investment. “
While a Downing Street spokesperson on Friday declined to praise the private companies that, with some city councils, stepped in to host Christmas lunches, Hancock said it was “absolutely wonderful that the companies have come forward and are playing their role.”
He added: ‘I also think it’s brilliant that the councils are coming forward, having been funded by the central government – £ 63m has been put into the councils so they can do exactly what you say, so they can support the people and make sure that each and every child receives the support they need. “
Hancock argued that providing meals through councils was better than through central government, as councils “are close to their local community and therefore can make the decisions to make sure that the people who really need it. get the support. “
The inference that English councils are expected to use their share of the £ 63 million Covid hardship fund to fill the gap for free school meals is likely to come as a surprise to some local authorities.
The sum is also intended to help disadvantaged people with needs such as heating. The boards say they have faced a cumulative £ 8bn in costs and lost revenue due to the coronavirus, which has not been fully covered by the central government.
A spokesperson for the Association of Local Governments said: “Given that many households are likely to be economically vulnerable for some time, it is vital that the government places local welfare funding on a long-term sustainable basis. The ability of city councils to provide preventive support to all households in need is vital to ensure that households can be financially secure. “
Speaking later on BBC1’s Breakfast program, Hancock said he understood that the prime minister had responded to a letter from Rashford, saying: “There has been communication between the two, as far as I understand it.”
When asked if there had been a response, Hancock said: “I am not in charge of the Prime Minister’s correspondence; if there has not been, I am sure it will be followed up.”
When asked about the idea of an additional level of coronavirus restrictions in addition to the current three-tier model, Hancock said the government “would not rule anything out.” Said, “We’ve always said all the time that we don’t take anything off the table.”
