Marcus Rashford has welcomed the news that pupils entitled to free school meals will still get them while schools are closed.
The Manchester United footballer described the decision as “progress” and said the provision of meals for hungry children “should never be in question”.
His comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that all primaries, secondaries and colleges in England would close as part of a national lockdown.
Free school meals campaigner Rashford tweeted: “Well that’s progress. Happy to hear the Prime Minister reference free school meal extension during lockdown.
“Should never be in question. Let’s all stay safe and check in on each other often.”
Mr Johnson all schools in England must move to remote provision except for vulnerable children and the children of keyworkers.
He said early years settings such as nurseries will still be accessible.
Mr Johnson said: “We will provide extra support to ensure that pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive them while schools are closed, and we will distribute more devices to support remote education.”
Mr Johnson said the move on schools means “it’s not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer, as normal”.
He said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will work with regulator Ofqual to put in place “alternative arrangements”.
England footballer Rashford, from Wythenshawe, last year led a successful campaign calling on the Government to reverse its decision not to extend the children’s food voucher scheme into the summer holidays.
In October, he was made an MBE for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
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