Dear John
"In 2020, no child in the UK should be going to bed hungry, nor should they be sat in classrooms concerned about how their younger siblings are going to eat that day, or how they are going to access food come the holidays. The school holidays used to be a highlight of the year for children."
That's what Marcus Rashford, England and Manchester United footballer, said as he launched his well-publicised call for the Government to ensure children don't go hungry during the school holidays.
Tia from Blackburn-with-Darwen has been working with our Food Power programme to speak out about her own experiences of food poverty. She's now supporting the End Child Food Poverty campaign alongside Marcus Rashford. Watch the video below to hear Tia talking about her experiences:
Please take action
In the summer, Marcus Rashford was able to persuade the Government to provide the free meals that are urgently needed during school holidays. So far, they have refused to do the same again this winter. Conservative MPs yesterday voted against the proposal.
But Rashford has said "This is not going away, and neither am I". Tia feels the same, and so do we. Charities and councils around the coumntry are stepping in to provide vouchers. But we need the Government to take responsibility. You can help keep up the pressure by signing the End Child Food Poverty petition. It calls on the Government to:
- Expand free school meals to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefit
- Provide meals & activities during all holidays
- Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.
Help make sure no child has to go to bed hungry – add your name now!
Best wishes
Liam Purcell
Church Action on Poverty
Facebook
Twitter