School meals: Government has ‘misunderstood’ public mood, senior Tory says, as children’s commissioner compares debate to ‘Oliver Twist’
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Your support makes all the difference.A senior Tory has said the government "misunderstood" the public mood over extending the free school meals scheme over holidays, amid mounting pressure for a U-turn on the issue.
Sir Bernard Jenkin and other Conservative MPs have added their voices to the increasing calls for a rethink after a vote last week rejected a bid to extend provision over the school holidays.
Labour has vowed to bring the issue back to the House of Commons in the absence of a U-turn before Christmas.
Meanwhile, the children’s commissioner for England has slammed the debate by comparing it to Oliver Twist.
Anne Longfield said she had been "horrified" by the recent debate over the extension of food vouchers for vulnerable children.
“We're a wealthy country, it's 2020,” she said. "To have a debate about whether we should make sure that hungry and vulnerable children have enough to eat is something that is strikingly similar to something we'd expect to see in chapters of Oliver Twist – a novel published in the 19th century.”
Hundreds of businesses and councils have announced that they will feed hungry pupils this week, supporting a campaign started by the England footballer Marcus Rashford.
Petitions
Two key petitions have been doing the rounds amid the free school meals over holidays row.
One is Marcus Rashford’s, which calls for the government to take action against child food poverty - including providing food through holidays.
It has got more than 836,000 signatures at the moment - and passed the 800,000 mark this morning.
Another called 'No public money for MPs' meals’ has got around 843,000 signatures.
This one was set up in light of the vote against free school meals over holidays.
You can find out more about both petitions here:
Petition for government support on free school meals nears one million
At least 750 businesses rally to provide food during half-term
Tory unrest
Boris Johnson is struggling to contain a growing Tory backbench rebellion as ministers continue to resist demands for a U-turn on free school meals.
Here’s some key comments from Conservative MPs today:
Sir Bernard Jenkin
"I think we have to admit that we have misunderstood the mood of the country here.
"The public want to see the government taking a national lead on this. I think the government will probably have to think again on that, particularly if there's going to be more votes in the House of Commons."
Tim Loughton
"For all the hassle this has caused, taking away from the really good measures the government has taken across the board, I just don't think it was worth the argument. I think it was just politically a mistake."
Tobias Ellwood
The MP said he regretted voting against the motion. “I'm happy to say that I've been convinced,” he said.
He tweeted in support of free school meals yesterday too:
Additional reporting by PA
‘We have misunderstood the mood of the country’
Here’s the full story on Sir Bernard Jenkin’s comments:
Senior minister says government ‘misunderstood’ public mood on free school meals
Councils and businesses around England step in to offer food after refusal to extend programme
Tory MP defends position
Despite the growing pressure, Tory MP Brandon Lewis - sent out to the TV studios to defend the government's position today - has insisted ministers were providing support to families struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"I think we've got the package in place that means people have got the support they need during school holidays," he told BBC1's The Andrew Marr Show.
PA
The crucial vote
Here’s a reminder of what happened with free school meals earlier this week:
Tory MPs block plan to extend free school meals over holidays
Government says it is not the job of schools to keep children fed during holidays
Winter mental health
In other news, Labour has called on the government to enact a mental health and wellbeing guarantee this winter, warning that failing to act could lead to a crisis for thousands of people suffering from stress and anxiety triggered by a second wave of Covid-19.
Tom Batchelor reports:
Labour calls on government to prevent winter ‘mental health crisis’
'As the clocks go back this weekend and the days grow shorter, people's mental health needs to be at the centre of the government's response to Covid-19,’ says Labour’s Dr Rosena Allin-Khan
Meanwhile in Brexit news…
The European Union’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier is to stay in London until Wednesday as ministers believe the possibility of a post-Brexit trade deal is in sight.
Barnier to remain in London until Wednesday as ministers see possibility of a deal in sight
Transition period due to end within weeks.
Bradford City AFC backs Rashford campaign
Bradford City football club has announced it will provide 750 free meals to children and young people in the area next week during the school half-term.
The club’s Community Foundation will provide the hoot food at the stadium between 11.30am and 1.30pm from tomorrow until Friday 30 October.
Qasim Akhtar, who has organised and helped provide the service, said: “Marcus Rashford has done an amazing job in bringing this to the attention of the general public. The response it has received from hundreds of organisations across the country has been phenomenal.
“Without delving into the politics around the matter, Bradford City Football Club has one clear message: that no child or young person should ever have to go hungry. We will support our community how ever we can.
“I would like to thank Bradford Metropolitan District Council and the Yorkshire Community and Leisure Complex, for their outstanding commitment to the people of Bradford.”
Offers of free meals flood in across England
Marcus Rashford is still sharing offers from local businesses to provide free meals to children in need over the half-term school holidays.
He also posted handwritten messages of support he has received from school pupils. One of them wrote: “I love the fact you have inspired millions of people including me.”
Birmingham City Council to provide meal vouchers over half term
The leader of Birmingham City Council has said that the 61,000 children in the area who usually receive free school meals will be given vouchers over the half-term break.
However Ian Ward called on the government to set out its plans for Christmas rather than leaving it to the last minute to decide whether it would provide support. “This situation is unsustainable,” he added. “We need a sustainable solution to this problem over the longer term.”
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