Hull MPs call on the government to stop holiday hunger

Two Hull MPs are calling on the education secretary to reverse cuts to free school meals funding during the summer holidays.

Karl Turner and Emma Hardy wrote to Gavin Williamson stating many parents would be facing increased financial pressure after losing income during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hull East and Hull West and Hessle MPs added almost 6,370 children across both their constituencies were at risk of going hungry during the summer.

A Department for Education spokesperson said councils were set to be handed a share of £63m in funding to help struggling families with food and essentials due to coronavirus.

Thousands more would get additional support through the Holiday Activities and Food programme, the spokesperson added.

The letters come as part of Labour’s Holiday without Hunger campaign, launched after the government announced it would not fund a replacement voucher scheme for school meals over the holidays.

Mr Turner said the government’s refusal to fund school meals during the summer holidays was a “deeply cynical” move.

Mr Turner said: “Children are at a heightened risk of going hungry this summer as the Covid-19 crisis hits family incomes and charities and food banks struggle to provide the same level of holiday support.

“There is a simple solution to this, and that is for the government to continue funding free school meals throughout the summer holidays.

“That is why I have written to the Secretary of State today to ask him to reverse his decision as part of Labour’s ‘Holiday without Hunger’ campaign.’’

Ms Hardy said the withdrawal of funding during summer would be “callous”.

The MP wrote: “Children are at a heightened risk of going hungry this summer as the Covid-19 crisis hits family incomes and charities and food banks struggle to provide the same level of holiday support.”

Mr Turner wrote in his letter that efforts to catch up on time lost due to coronavirus during the summer would be undermined if children went hungry.

He added the roughly 1.3m children eligible for free school meals nationally were at risk of going hungry if free school meals funding is axed.

Mr Turner said the government had previously extended their £15 per child per week voucher scheme over Easter and the May half term holidays.

The Department for Education spokesperson said the vouchers would not run during the summer.

The spokesperson said: “As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are not yet able to return to school.

“Where this is not possible, schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils.

“Free schools meals are ordinarily term time only, and the national voucher scheme will not run during the summer holidays.

“However, as announced this week by the prime minister, the local authority welfare assistance scheme will provide help those to who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to the impact of COVID-19.

“Thousands of children will also receive additional support through our Holiday Activities and Food programme, which offers activities and free meals throughout the summer holidays.”