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Boris Johnson has admitted that he has not spoken to Marcus Rashford since June, but has praised the footballer’s “fabulous” food poverty campaign.
The Manchester United striker is leading a high-profile campaign for the expansion of free school meals and also for the provision of meals during all school holidays for those in need.
So far, the government has refused to give in to mounting pressure on the issue, despite having made a U-turn before the summer break when they provided food stamps to around 1.3 million children in England.
Despite not extending the voucher scheme for this October semester and having resisted calls to extend the scheme until Easter next year, Johnson promised on Monday that ministers “will do everything in our power to make sure. that no child, no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays. “
He added: “I haven’t spoken to Marcus since June but, like I say, I think what he’s doing is great.”
Formerly Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Sky News that the couple had “been communicating”, although Rashford denied this through a post on his Twitter account.
Johnson said there was a “debate” about how best to provide Christmas meals to children during the coronavirus crisis, as he pointed to the rise of universal credit by the government and a £ 63m fund for local councils. announced more than four months ago.
Some city councils, including local authorities run by the Conservatives, have pledged to continue the holiday voucher program in recent days.
And small businesses and organizations have offered meals to struggling families in their local areas.
The prime minister said: “We support the local councils and, in fact, we fund the local councils and many of the organizations that are helping in this period.”
“But also, as I said, we are increasing Universal Credit by £ 1,000 and we believe that is one of the best ways it can help families at this difficult time.
“I totally understand the Christmas hunger issue, it’s there, we have to deal with it. The debate is how to deal with it.
“We are very proud of the support we have provided. I have said repeatedly during this crisis that the government will support families and businesses, jobs and livelihoods across the country.
“We’re going to keep doing that. We don’t want children to go hungry this winter, this Christmas.”
“Certainly not as a result of this government’s inattention. You won’t see it.”
