Labour warn Boris Johnson that he has 72 hours to back Marcus Rashford’s school meals plan
As No 10 refuses to change policy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour has warned Boris Johnson he has 72 hours to agree to England footballer Marcus Rashford’s call to extend free school meals over the holidays or it will try to force a vote by MPs on the issue.
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said now was “the time to act".
More than one million children could go hungry over school breaks because of the coronavirus crisis, she warned.
Mr Johnson bowed to public pressure, including from some Tory MPs, over a previous campaign by Mr Rashford which secured free school meals for thousands this summer.
But No 10 is resisting pressure to change its policy this time around.
A petition launched by the Manchester United striker secured 100,000 signatures in just 10 hours.
The Welsh Government has pledged to provide free school meals during the holidays until Easter.
But a Number 10 spokesman said: "It's not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays."
Ms Green said: "Millions of families face the prospect of losing their livelihoods because the Government has lost control of the virus.
"Now is the time to act. Labour will not stand by and let families be the victims of the Government's incompetence.
"If Boris Johnson doesn't change course, we will force a vote … and give his backbenchers the chance to do the right thing."
Rashford was recently made an MBE for his services to vulnerable children.
His petition calls for free school meals to be expanded to any household on Universal Credit, as well as provided during holidays.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Schools are working incredibly hard to help children catch-up with lost learning amidst ongoing disruption caused by rising Covid infection rates, and the pupils who need the greatest degree of support are often those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"To then have a situation where they are potentially going hungry through holiday periods is very obviously detrimental to both their welfare and educational progress."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments