MARCUS RASHFORD IS spearheading a task force on the issue of child food poverty in the UK and is warning of “devastating” effects on the stability of the country if action is not taken quickly.
The Manchester United and England striker was successful in campaigning for free school meal vouchers to be provided to pupils over the summer period.
He had spoken about his own experience of using a food voucher scheme as a child and was praised after pressing the Government into making a U-turn on the issue.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the 22-year-old said he knew the free school meal vouchers over the summer would not be the end of his fight.
He added: “I think we pretty much knew straight away we had found a short-term solution but that wasn’t going to work in the long run.
We had to think about how’s the best way to do it so these families can eat long term and not have any issues.”
Rashford has now teamed up with the food industry to shed light on the issue of child food poverty in the UK.
Along with Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Deliveroo, FareShare, Food Foundation, Iceland, Kellogg’s, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, he has formed the ‘Child Food Poverty Task Force’.
Rashford said on Twitter that he was “humbled to stand side by side” with them all.
Over the next six weeks, the task force members will dedicate their platforms to sharing stories of those most affected by child food insecurity in the UK.
Rashford said the task force is endorsing three national food strategy policy recommendations.
In a letter to MPs, Rashford said the objective is to “see sufficient funds from the Chancellor’s Budget and Spending Review allocated to implementing these without delay”.
The first one is the expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5 million seven-16-year-olds.
The second one is the expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1m children.
And the third one is increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four.
For the millions who don’t have the platform to be heard...
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) September 1, 2020
🗣 #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY pic.twitter.com/OuJrZNuWa7
In his letter, Rashford wrote: “When we pause, listen and reflect on what the future of our next generation could potentially look like, it’s easy to see that if we don’t take action quickly, the issue of child food poverty will have devastating effects on the stability of our country.
“These children are the future – our next generation of NHS workers, police officers, footballers and politicians.”
Rashford recalls his own experience, writing: “I remember the sound of my mum crying herself to sleep to this day, having worked a 14-hour shift, unsure how she was going to make ends meet.”
He said he has sat with parents who have “cried with sheer relief that putting food on their children’s plates was one less thing to worry about this summer”.
He told MPs: “I spoke to a mother recently who, along with her two young sons, is currently living off three slices of bread a day – soaking them in hot water and adding sugar, hoping that the porridge consistency might better sustain the hunger of her one-year-old child.
“I spoke to a family who were sleeping on one mattress on the floor – the reason being, just like any good parent would, they had had no choice but to sell every valuable they owned to put food on the table for their children.
“All of this, a result of unforeseen circumstances that are entirely out of their control, such as redundancy and illness.
This is the true reality of England in 2020.”
Rashford stressed the importance of changing attitudes towards asking for help.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I feel like at times people think they are being looked down on if they ask for help. You should feel free if you want to ask for help for anything. Hold your head up high and if you need help go and get help.”
Rashford said he had enjoyed meeting families who have benefitted from the children food voucher scheme.
“Just to see the smiles on their faces and to see how much it’s helped them, you know, made me happy,” he said. “It was good to see the parents laughing and smiling.”
Rashford, alongside the words “If ever there was a question of why… #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY”, later added another video on Twitter of a teacher recalling a 12-year-old pupil falling asleep in lessons because she was using her free school meal allowance to feed her younger siblings.
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Gilt edged opportunities for Murray replacements.
@buck turgidson: in the UK?
@Donal O’Muireadhaigh: Belfast is in the UK….
@paul: Plays for Ireland, plays for Irish province
@buck turgidson:
Unfamiliar with you but that is quality trolling sir. Well played!!
@Anton Dec:
Please remember his name it is one of 5 but he always keeps his Tiger face ::Next time look but pass on !!
@Martin Quinn: The42 Comments section. Lesson 1. See the tiger, press mute.
A very good squad – tom Farrell can feel aggrieved not getting a look in with the form he’s in at the moment – the rest seems on par
@baw baw: I’m shocked that Arnold is there too but Schmidt must have seen him as more of a 12 than a 13 and gone for McCloskey over Farrell.
@EK: Arnold was in great form prior to his injury but I feel for Tom Farrell he’s been playing incredibly. Feel for James Cronin too imo he’s Munsters best LH. Other than those too no real surprises. Bigger squad that I thought cannot wait for this!
@Ian Verdon: I just saw the surname Cronin and thought he was in the squad. Himself and Dillane are very unfortunate not to make the squad considering how big it is.
@Ian Verdon: Think Buckley should feel aggrieved that either killer or Cronin are being picked ahead of him.
@Joe Vlogs: Yeah I agree, I just don’t think Joe fancies him for whatever reason. Pity, I would’ve loved to have seen Dillane back in and Tom called up. Delighted for Beahlam and the fact he covers both Th and Lh is an added bonus.
@EK: Just realised that my first comment made no sense. Schmidt must have seen Tom Farrell as more of a 12 than a 13 and picked Arnold as his backup 13 instead.
We have such a strong squad it’s crazy! Huge opportunity for Cooney now that Murray is out. He’s been very consistent for Ulster and I hope he stakes his claim. Looking forward to seeing Addison lace up and show what he can do too. It’s going to be an exciting series.
@Fergal Flanagan: it will be marmion to start, Cooney and McGrath to battle it out for back up.
@Anthony: I’d be surprised if the same player started at scrum-half in all four matches. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we will undoubtedly start with Marmion against New Zealand and it’s hard to see any other choice against Argentina, but Italy and the USA will be seen as an opportunity to try out some players.
@Anthony: what makes marmion ahead off cooney. Cooney is by far a better all round player.
@John: Versatility and experience. Has covered wing and centre for Ireland in high pressure matches. Cooney can cover 10 and kick which for me puts him ahead of McGrath but for now, Marmion is our most experienced fit scrum half. We’ll see how that picture looks in December
@John:
John simple reason Joe trust him !!
@Graham O’Hara: Versatility gets you onto the bench, but it’s not a main factor for selection in the starting team. That said, Schmidt seems to favour those who have “done a job” for him before when it comes to close calls, so I expect Marmion to be first-choice for the bigger games. Cooney and McGrath are both pushing hard in terms of form though.
Cooney for New Zealand if we’re going on form. Biggest opportunity is for McCloskey. He had his chances before and seemed to be lightyears away from the squad. Hope he kicks on.
@Pete Slattery ✊: Cooney was poor against Racing, Marmion is safe enough as the #2 at the moment.
@Rochelle: Cooney didn’t play against Racing
@Rochelle: Cooney didn’t play against Racing. Although I would say Marmion is in good form and has the most international experience, so would have him starting with Cooney on the bench.
@Rochelle: sometimes the troll just sits up and slaps you in the face ;)
@Pete Slattery ✊: I’d like to see Cooney start too but Marmion did a job against England in 2017 so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting instead.
@Rochelle: where ever you went before please go back, Cooney didn’t play v Racing. Your talking rubbish about players and didn’t even watch the game.
@Rochelle: Willie John Mc Bride had a poor game too Rochelle.
@Chris Mc: Rochelle Disappears after every Leinster and Dublin Triumph ! Pretty much April , May and September.
@Rochelle: Lol you absolute dope.
@Trevor Johnston: yeah he went completely missing at lineout time.
@Rochelle:
Back to your usually no back up statements ……………Racing 92 important game for Ulster missing their most important Player and you missed that !!
@Chris Mc:
(Rochelle: where ever you went before please go back)
is this the same Rochelle, the major Troll over the last 2 years (missing for about 6 months),I was wondering ??
Didn’t expect a 42 man squad but the squad will likely be split in two with one squad going to Chicago while the other stays in Ireland to prepare for the Argentina game.
Sam Arnold is a shock for me. He’s very good defensively but I thought Dan Goggin had jumped ahead of him in the pecking order at Munster, never mind Tom Farrell at Connacht. McCloskey’s pick is well deserved.
Sweetnam and Bealham are big winners here too with both in great form for their provinces and deserving a squad spot.
I suppose Schmidt solved the back row issue by just picking everyone.
@EK: And 4 hookers as well! Yeah, it definitely has the look of a Lions squad, will probably be separated into the test team and dirt-trackers.
I think the form that jack carty is in this season hes unlucky not to get a call up.
While it’s a shame to see Murray miss out, scrum half is the position where we have the least amoubt of depth in terms of international experience. Great chance now to have a backup scrum half who would have gained caps against the likes of NZ.
Imagine if UCD were able to play the players registered to them – a backrow of SOB, VDF and Leavy with Ryan in the 2nd row. Byrne, Ringrose and RK in the backs…
They’d be unstoppable.
No real surprises there. I suppose what will be interesting is who lines out against Arg/NZ. Real shame Murray isn’t going to be fit in time for the latter but it’s great he’s on the mend
Pleasantly surprised with the size of the squad but with the Italy match being in Chicago it makes sense. Two unluckiest players who have been omitted imo are James Cronin and Tom Farrell imo both are in better form than two of the lads selected ahead of them. But what a great squad. I’ll be at the All blacks game and USA match I can’t wait!
@Ian Verdon: James Cronin is a v good player but you just can’t rely on him – always liable to give away penalties!
@peterw: So is killcoyne tho, I just think Cronin is more dependable than killcoyne. Killcoyne is a better impact player tho and I say that was a significant factor in Joe’s decision making.
More international game time for Marmion and McGrath must be welcomed at 12 months from RWC.
How is Sam Arnold in ahead of Tom Farrell
Looks like a good squad. I’d think Tom farrell and james cronin are unlucky not to be there but all in all there isn’t too much controversy. Great to see sammy Arnold there. At 22 he’s a great example for others on what’s possible with a move between the provinces.
Darren wants to know how Sam Arnold is in ahead of Tom Farrell.
@gary: I’d say Darren needs to wear mittens attached to his sleeves
Murray being injured now gives alternatives a run of 3/4 games to step up to the plate and nail down a place in the WC squad something that badly needs to happen as Ireland don’t know who back up SH is. And with the WC next year, this time off should do him and Ireland the world of good heading into RWC!
@paul: I think Schmidt knows his back up 9. He seems to trust marmion it’s the fans that seem to be thinking it should be Cooney or McGrath. (I think it should be Cooney)
How is Sam Arnold in ahead of Tom Farrell
Strange term to use, “Misses Out”? Everyone knew he wasn’t going to be included due to his injury so the “Sensationalism” headline is a bit of a joke!
Is Rory Scannell going through a RTP protocol or has he been overlooked?
Very disappointing news
@Tommy C: don’t worry Tommy, I’d say if you keep your head down and meet all your markers you might be still in the mix for the six nations squads. Chin up fella
How the hell is Sam Arnold in ahead of Tom Farrell
How the hell is Sam Arnold in ahead of Tom Farrell
Where’s Rory Scannell?
Four hookers? Is this a changing of the guard?
@Locojoe:
Best is the man and if he plays he will be there (it is his to Lose)