Footballer Marcus Rashford who began the campaign to pressure the Government into extending free school meals has celebrated after receiving a phone call from the Prime Minister. Boris Johnson phoned the Manchester United player to thank him for his campaign to help extend free school meals for school children from poorer families. The Government has now pledged an extra £170 million to fund the extension of free school meals.
This is a sudden climbdown by the Government who argued that Universal Credit should be enough for families to get by.
However, Mr Rashford, who was awarded an MBE last month for his campaign, said he is still concerned about the children who would miss out on help “because their family income isn’t quite enough”.
Mr Rashford added: “The intent the government have shown today is nothing but positive and they should be recognised for that.
“The steps made today will improve the lives of near 1.7 million children in the UK over the next 12 months, and that can only be celebrated.”
Governmental support for free school meals has been announced for children in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It comes after more than one million people signed the petition to extend free school meals set up by Mr Rashford.
The footballer has urged the Government to offer a package to include free food for children from disadvantaged families throughout all the school holidays.
Mr Johnson phoned Mr Rashford on Saturday and the footballer said: “Following the game today, I had a good conversation with the Prime Minister to better understand the proposed plan.
JUST IN: Chelsea star Timo Werner joins Ronaldo and Lewandowski after fine display
“I want to take this moment to reflect on what has occurred over the last couple of weeks.
“I am so proud of ‘us’ as a collective.”
Mr Rashford added that working on the campaign to extend free school meals was “the greatest moment of my life”.
The UK’s Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said: “We want to make sure vulnerable people feel cared for throughout this difficult time.
“Above all, no one should go hungry or be unable to pay their bills this winter.”
