Boris Johnson has performed a u-turn on free school meals being available for underprivileged children thanks to a campaign from Marcus Rashford.
The Manchester United and England forward fought hard on a subject he cares passionately about, having received free school meal vouchers as a youngster while his mum worked to put food on the table.
His campaign has now paid dividends as the government have confirmed an extra £120 million will be set aside for meal vouchers to those who need them this summer.
UPDATE: Downing St has backed down on free school meals in England.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) June 16, 2020
They’ve said that Treasury will provide £120m for meal vouchers for those on free school meals this summer.
Big victory for @MarcusRashford. https://t.co/ejEilU4AtL
BREAKING: Downing Street has confirmed it will provide £120 million of additional funding to extend free school meals during the summer holidays.
— SkyNews (@SkyNews) June 16, 2020
More on this story: https://t.co/OvVWt1qXZM pic.twitter.com/NowuXajEFN
As well as giving interviews on the matter, Rashford penned a lengthy letter to the government calling for the reversal of their decision to scrap free school meals in the holidays and encouraged people to tag their local MPs in order to raise as much awareness as possible.
And in succeeding with his campaign, Rashford has helped 1.3 million children who would have gone hungry without the prime minister giving in to the pressure and changing his stance.
The 22-year old, who has also raised £20 million for charity in recent weeks, was left speechless with the incredible news that arrived on Tuesday afternoon, taking to Twitter to celebrate.
I don’t even know what to say.
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) June 16, 2020
Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.
Rashford deserves enormous praise for going out of his way and using his platform to make a real difference.
There's already calls for him to be in the frame for BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and it's really hard to make a case for anyone else at this moment.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-government-do-u-turn-on-free-school-meals-thanks-to-marcus-rashford-20200616
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