Salisbury MP explains position on free school meals debate

The MP for Salisbury has written a blog setting out his views on the debate about providing free school meals for struggling families.

The issue came to prominence after footballer Marcus Rashford started a petition calling for the Government to act.

That's now gained 1 million signatures, and pressure's building for a U-turn by the Prime Ministers.

John Glen's begun his essay on the subject by stating his overall view:

"For the avoidance of doubt - and in spite of receiving many hundreds of emails falsely asserting the contrary - I would like to say here and now that I believe that all children should have access to nourishing food all year round.

"I also believe that it is the proper task of government to support families that are at risk of food poverty by giving them additional money to buy food.

"Children need meals every day - not necessarily school meals - just good meals that their parents or carers can afford to provide.

"That is why Universal Credit has been boosted by £20 a week - not just for this half term week but for the coming Christmas and Easter holidays - and all the weeks in between."

Salisbury's MP also says been among those pushing for better support for families, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

He also says some people, who don't qualify for free school meals, might also find themselves in need of support, so there needs to be a system in place for them:

"Immediately following the Free School Meals debate, MPs, including myself, took part in another (much less reported) vote and gave our continued backing to an emergency package of support measures for vulnerable families worth billions on top of free school meals.

"It is also the responsibility of government to ensure that help is targeted so that it reaches those who need it most. It was gratifying to hear the Office of Budget Responsibility conclude that, of all the extra support made available during the pandemic, the poorest 10% have proportionately benefited the most. That is as it should be.

"However, I meet lots of people every week and, in my experience, it is not unusual for families who are not ordinarily in receipt of free school meals to suffer unique circumstances that can make it temporarily hard for them to make ends meet.

"When misfortune strikes and extra cash is still not enough to put sufficient food on the table, I am in favour of additional meal vouchers being made available to everyone who needs them, regardless of their term-time status with regard to free school meals."

John Glen finished by blog by saying he's 'pleased and proud' that Wiltshire Council's stepped in to support families at a difficult time.

A number of local businesses have also pledged their help to those who might need meals for their children during half term.