Some 1.3 million children will now be able to claim free school meals thanks to the work of Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.
The six-week voucher which will be issued to eligible children will provide meals during the school holidays. Previously the government had insisted it would not continue to provide meals to children in need out with term time. However, Rashford’s efforts have ensured that these children will not go without.
Rashford said he was "grateful that the prime minister did change his decision", however, he noted that there are "more steps that need to be taken".
He continued that the current move from the government had "bought an extra six weeks" to "figure out what's next".
Rashford continued: "I don't want this to be the end of it because there are more steps that need to be taken and we just need to analyse the response.
"People are struggling all year around so we still need to learn more about the situation people are in and how we can help them best."
The government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme will continue to offer support for families during the holidays, while a fund of £63 million is available to support the most vulnerable.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said that it was "totally reasonable" for the government to change their mind, and applauded Rashford on conducting a campaign with "such dignity and emotion". In his interview with Sky News, Hancock, accidentally referred to the player as Daniel Rashford. Rashford responded on Twitter, noting: “I've been called much worse over the last couple of days."
Rashford, who relied on foodbanks growing up, said that: “if someone had spoken about it then maybe the situation would've been different.”
