Response to Parliamentary vote on Free School Meals

In response to the debate in Parliament on Free School Meals, and the defeat of the motion to extend holiday support until Easter 2021, Children's Food Campaign Co-ordinator Barbara Crowther says:

“We are profoundly dismayed that Parliament has rejected the motion to provide food support to vulnerable children during forthcoming school holidays. We thank all the MPs who spoke up for children today. We had hoped Parliament would unite, as this is not the time for children living in food insecurity to be used as political footballs. Our campaign has the support of directors of public health, head teachers, children’s organisations, food networks, school caterers and national education unions, as well as hundreds of thousands of parents, young people and teachers. We will not give up campaigning for all children’s rights to food. We hope the Government will reconsider and make its own decision now to unite with Wales and Scotland in supporting children through to Easter 2021, as well as move to adopt the longer term recommendations in the National Food Strategy.”

For media interviews: email barbara@sustainweb.org or call 020 3559 6777