Marcus Rashford and Jamie Oliver write to Boris Johnson to demand urgent review on Free School Meals

Footballer Marcus Rashford has written to Boris Johnson calling for an urgent review of the Government's free school meals policy in the wake of the pandemic.

The England and Manchester United striker has joined TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Tom Kerridge and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to urge the Government to develop a strategy to end child food poverty.

In their letter, backed by more than 40 NGOs, charities and education leaders, they said the review should consider eligibility thresholds to ensure disadvantaged children are not excluded and how schools can be supported to deliver the best quality meals.

"This review would provide the Government with the opportunity to future-proof its policy on school food, and to carefully consider how best to support low-income children and families in the aftermath of the pandemic," they said.

"School food is essential in supporting the health and learning of our most disadvantaged children.

"Now, at a time when children have missed months of in-school learning and the pandemic has reminded us of the importance of our health, this is a vital next step."  

Meanwhile Marcus Rashford has been continuing his hands-on approach in solving child hunger in the UK by directing local authorities to funds through his End Child Poverty campaign.

It comes as schools in England have been told not to provide free meal vouchers or food parcels to struggling families over half-term next month.

Local councils will instead be tasked with providing free meals under the Government's £170 million Covid winter grant scheme.

 Rashford sparked a furious row this week when he highlighted paltry food parcels for children.

The anti-poverty campaigner has already forced the government into a series of U-turns over free school meals.

Fresh guidance from the Department for Education to headteachers states: “Schools do not need to provide lunch parcels or vouchers during the February half-term.”

A Downing Street Spokesperson said: “It is great that celebrities and groups across society see the importance of school food. The PM thanks Marcus Rashford for his letter and will reply soon. 

"School food is essential in supporting the health and learning of the most disadvantaged pupils. The Prime Minister has been clear that no child will ever go hungry as a result of the pandemic”.

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