Rishi Sunak has been invited to Liverpool to see the work being done to help people through the cost of living crisis.
The invitation was extended this week by MP Ian Byrne, who is campaigning to have the “Right to Food" enshrined in law, and to end the need for food banks. The MP wrote to the Prime Minister on January 10, asking Mr Sunak to meet with him in his West Derby constituency to talk about the need for universal free school meals.
Mr Byrne’s proposals would see every school pupil given a free breakfast and lunch. He said: “It can't be right that children are going hungry. It can't be right to be dividing children over food. Providing universal free school meals would support all children to reach their potential and boost our economy.”
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A recent poll carried out by Survation – which helps provide vital insights for brands and organisations - found more than 40% of residents in West Derby fear they will need to resort to foodbanks this year. More than 70% fear they won’t be able to afford their energy bills and 37% fear homelessness within the next 12 months.
In his letter to the PM, Mr Byrne writes: “The Government must legislate for universal free school meals—a nutritious free school breakfast and lunch for every child in state education. We have heard powerful evidence at the EFRA Select Committee in Parliament about the benefits that it would bring for children’s learning, happiness and health and about how that investment would allow our children to enjoy futures that are far brighter than what they are looking forward to now.
“Crucially, from the Government’s perspective, this investment would more than pay for itself in the long run.”
The letter follows on from an exchange between the politicians during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on December 7, when Mr Byrne asked Mr Sunak if he would meet with him to discuss investment in universal free school meals.
Mr Byrne said: “I have raised this with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, at PMQs and I have invited him to meet with me and constituents in West Derby so that they can share their perspectives on the importance of universal free school meals with him.”
In response Mr Sunak said: “I know this is an issue which the hon. gentleman has campaigned for some time, and he is right to highlight the importance of making sure that our children have access to food.
“That is why I am proud that we introduced not just an expansion of free school meals, but the holiday activities and food program. I am always interested in more ideas of where we can go further, and I look forward to hearing from him.”
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