Following a successful campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, the UK government yesterday announced a “Covid summer school fund” is being set up to help feed children during the holidays in England.
The Scottish Government had earlier announced that their own free school meals scheme will also be extended over the summer.
Welcoming the announcement, FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Marcus Rashford for his unstinting support of FareShare – helping us get food onto the plates of over 3m vulnerable children.
“His tireless campaigning work to ensure that no child in this country should go hungry over the school summer holidays has delivered fantastic results. A move to continue funding free school meals over the summer months will be a huge relief to struggling families across the UK, many of whom have faced unimaginable strain during this crisis.
“Our network of charities are already seeing a huge increase in demand for food, and we are supplying more charities supporting children and families than ever before – so this is very welcome news.
“However, we know that even with the voucher scheme in place, the need for food will still be there, particularly as, in the event of a recession, charities and community groups providing food will need to support many more people facing financial hardship and food insecurity.
“That’s why we are calling on the public and the food industry to get behind our appeal to help to deliver more healthy, nutritious food to the food banks, community groups, activity schemes and schools supporting the UK’s most vulnerable children – not just over the summer holidays but in the months and years to come.”
The UK Government’s u-turn has been universally welcomed.
Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said: “This is a welcome U-turn from the government and a victory for the 1.3 million children who were at risk of going hungry this summer.
“It is thanks to the amazing work of Marcus Rashford and campaigners that the Government has had no choice but to reverse their decision.
“The Government must now confirm that this new money will be for the direct provision of free school meals to all eligible children.”
Children eligible for free school meals will be among those who continue to be supported over the summer through a package of £27.6 million of additional funding announced by the Scottish Government yesterday.
The funding will ensure councils are able to continue the provision of free school meals during the summer holidays and other food provision to help low income families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The latest data from local authorities shows that around 175,000 children and young people are currently receiving free school meals – or vouchers or cash payments to buy meals.
The number of children receiving free school food has risen by 53,000 since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the impact of the pandemic on family incomes and financial circumstances.
The extra funding will also enable councils to continue to support a range of people who may be facing new or continuing barriers to accessing food including due to reduced income caused if they are asked to self-isolate through contact tracing – until the end of September.
This funding is in addition to the overall package of £30 million allocated to councils in March to provide free school meals and offer food provision to key groups during lockdown.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney said: “These are challenging times for families and economic uncertainty has added even more pressure on parents already dealing with the stress of this dire COVID-19 crisis.
“We want to ensure families are given the same support through the summer holidays as we provide in term time in recognition of this unprecedented situation. That is why free school meals provision is essential to support families, children and young people who need some extra help at this difficult time.
“This significant additional funding will allow councils to plan for the summer and to continue the existing provision, whether that be offering nutritious free meals for children or through more direct means allowing families to get food for their families. Councils will have the flexibility to ensure they are able to use this additional funding to put in place provision that meets local needs and circumstances.
“£15 million of this funding is being made available to ensure we continue supporting the range of households who have been or may experience difficulty in accessing or affording food during the pandemic.
“We know that people are under pressure just now as they cope with the impact of COVID-19 and this funding shows we are doing all we can to help them at this difficult time. This funding is additional to the £350 million we have already made available.”
Since 24 March councils have provided the Scottish Government with data on the number of children receiving a free school meal through the provision of vouchers, direct payments, home deliveries and provision in educational or early years settings.
Individuals who are unable to access or afford food and cannot get the help they need from family, friends or neighbours are encouraged to call the national assistance helpline.
The free helpline number is 0800 111 4000, or can be contacted via a textphone on 0800 111 4114. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Callers will be put through to speak to someone at their local council. They’ll be able to advise on what types of help are available. This might include:
- food, if you’re not able to get the day-to-day food you need
- medication, if you’re not able to pick up the prescriptions you need
- access to local social work services
- emotional support
- contact with local volunteer groups