I welcome the news today that the Government has finally listened to the reasoned argument made so well by Marcus Rashford to extend free school meal vouchers across the summer holidays to all children who currently receive free school meals.

Holiday hunger is a serious problem every year, but it is likely to be a great deal worse during the upcoming summer holidays with over 11 thousand local children at risk of going hungry. Many parents have lost their job or substantial amounts of income due to Covid-19, and this will increase pressure on household budgets so it was hard to understand why Government initially did not intend to extend the voucher scheme, especially in light of vouchers being available over both Easter and May half-term.?

This issue has been recognised across the country with many prominent people adding their support to the campaign to extend the voucher programme. Marcus Rashford has movingly shared his experience of how food vouchers really helped him and his family when money was tight. Senior politicians from all parties backed his plea to the Prime Minister to extend scheme over summer holidays and locally we have raised the issue on behalf our constituents too. The Government shouldn?t need persuading of the need to feed children who would otherwise go without.

Although we are very pleased with today?s announcement, it is a sad fact that holiday hunger will remain an issue after the current crisis and we will continue to campaign for free school meal vouchers to continue across all holiday periods for those who need them.

Ahead of this summer we will be working with our schools and local academy trusts to ensure that any voucher scheme over the summer is easy for parents to access and administer.

For anyone who is currently experiencing difficulties accessing food there are local Food Banks and Community Based Social Eating Projects available. If you need help during COVID-19 you can call the Council on 0115 915 5555 or visit http://nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus

This week sees the start of Scams Awareness Fortnight, run by Citizens Advice, which has a focus on raising awareness of the scams that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

While most people in the city are looking out for each other it is unfortunately the case that a minority of people are looking to take advantage of the uncertainty that the pandemic brings. Recent scams have involve people being contacted by phone, email, text, social media, and even in person. The aim is to persuade the victim to share personal details, hand over money, or buy goods and services that either don?t exist or are counterfeit. If in doubt don?t hand over any personal details or money and seek help instead from family, friends and neighbours.

Anyone with any concerns should contact Citizen?s Advice or the organisation in question directly. For more information or to report a potential scam call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or visit their website www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

More information about Nottingham City Council Trading Standards is available at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Find out more about current scams targeting victims across the country and what the council is doing to tackle the issue.