Free School Meal Vouchers

[Mozz71]

A positive u-turn from the government. Well done to Marcus Rashford for highlighting this cause. I don't like your team at all, but good work.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53065806

[Mamyalynne]

Thread on this lower down Mozz, yes it's a good outcome.

[Mozz71]

Sorry Mamya, never noticed.

[bednobs]

don't worry, mine is (sort of) a different question.
Be prepared for a lot of "parents should feed their own kids" responses :)

[Old_Geezer]

Unconvinced. Appreciate I don't know how the system works, I even thought I read on the news site that all kids in a certain age range got free meals, and obviously that can't be right, but as I understand it, this benefit for those in need is a term time only one. If one thinks there is a different need at this time, due to unusual circumstances, then surely some other welfare benefit should be picking that up, not a change to an established term-time meal system.

[sherrardk]

Does it really matter what welfare benefit is used or what it is called provided that vulnerable children receive meals?

[Mozz71]

I get what your saying OG, and I think you're right about a different benifit agency dealing with it, but I also see why it is easier to extend this one, they already know who is eligible, so there is no delay, it should be a smoove continuation of the scheme.

[Canary42]

Rashford for PM. Wouldn't that upset Ab's closet racists who are already secretly fuming over Boris's U-Turn.

[Old_Geezer]

Yes it matters. Messing about with a system is not something to be done lightly as otherwise there is no permanancy, it's all whim. The financially poor should already be able to claim for needs. They should already be anticipated and catered for by the system.

[sherrardk]

If you google ‘free meals summer 2019’ you’ll see that lots of organisations provided activities with free meals last summer holidays, obviously things are different this year so something needed to be done. It has been, and these kids will now get fed.

[webbo3]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/parents-trying-buy-beer-school-22021673

[Patsy33]

Well done young man! This will help a lot of families.

[Mozz71]

Webbo, there's always a minority. If it means that a lot of children are getting full bellies, who may not of otherwise, that's acceptable collateral

[cassa333]

I am one of those who believe it is parents responsibility to feed their family. It is after all tax money that pays for it.

However the best way to lift people out of poverty generationally is through education. Children cannot learn if they are hungry therefore I would also extend this benefit.

OG is right though that another benefit should foot the bill but I do also agree that the school meals providers know who to target with the meals so probably best left in their hands

Mind you I would also say they should attend ‘summer school’. No not actual school but some sort of activity based program and they get their lunch then.

I know it was back in the mists of the 70s but my most memorable summers were those spent in the local park for the free summer activities. As one of those ‘poor kids’ it got us out into a better environment than home.

[10ClarionSt]

The team has got absolutely nothing to do with it.

[youngmafbog]

parents should feed their own kids

[Mozz71]

And if they can't work ymf, due to say an epidemic which has all but shut down most unessential businesses, then tough luck?

[bhg481]

What impresses me is that Marcus has nothing to gain personally from this. He's not a polititian trying to gain votes or seek his moment of fame etc, he's just using his position to try to put right a situation he found himself in when a child. Neither he nor his family will benefit from his actions; it's just a totally unselfish act and adds to the effort he's already put into this problem.

[dannyk13]

ymb //parents should feed their own kids//
Those parents who can do.Those that can't get vouchers if they pass a means test.

[Mozz71]

Bhg, from what I understand, Rashford comes from a very poor background, from birth until around 5, they were really struggling, but managed to slowly turn things around, but it was only when he got his scholarship at United, did things change completely.

It sounds like he has his feet firmly planted on the ground.

[Mozz71]

Exactly Danny.