England star Marcus Rashford has vowed to continue fighting against child food poverty, after prime minister Boris Johnson rejected his call for the free school meal scheme to be extended into school holidays.
Earlier this year, Rashford’s campaigning helped forced the government into a U-turn over the provision of food vouchers to the poorest schoolchildren during the summer holidays.
Ministers had planned to halt the scheme, which was brought in as a replacement for free-school-meals during lockdown, once term-time had ended, and the Manchester United forward was last week awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children in recognition of his work.
With schools now open again, eligible children are able to receive their usual free meals at lunchtimes.
But on Thursday, Rashford launched a petition calling on the government to end food poverty with, among its demands, a plea to once again offer vouchers to help feed those in need during the upcoming October half-term and Christmas holidays.
However, a statement from Downing Street said: "We took that decision to extend free school meals during the pandemic when schools were partially closed during lockdown. We're in a different position now with schools back open to all pupils.
"It's not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays. We believe the best way to support families outside of term time is through Universal Credit rather than Government subsidising meals."
Rashford hit back in a Tweet, writing: “Merry Christmas kids...
“It’s also not for food banks to feed millions of British children but here we are. 250% increase in food poverty and rising...
“This is not going away anytime soon and neither am I...”
