Schools begin preparing to feed vulnerable children over Christmas

A Labour motion to run the scheme throughout school holidays to next Easter was defeated in the House of Commons last week.

Businesses, community groups and councils have since stepped in to provide meals during half-term, backing a campaign led by England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.

There has been mounting anger among teachers and school leaders over Boris Johnson’s refusal to extend the scheme.

The leader of a headteachers’ union has warned that the Prime Minister could be perceived as a ‘modern-day version of Scrooge’ if he fails to take action.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the Government should take note of school leaders who were already planning on how to tackle holiday hunger.

He said: “The Prime Minister will be perceived as a modern-day version of Scrooge if he fails to act, and deservedly so.

“This has been a terrible year for many families, and they should at least be able to have a Christmas without worrying about how they are going to feed their children. This is modern Britain, not the Victorian era.”

Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi has said the Government could ‘learn from’ holiday activities and food programmes as a potential way of addressing concerns over how to feed vulnerable children.

It comes after Mr Johnson promised his Government would do ‘everything in our power’ to tackle holiday hunger over Christmas.

Universal Credit has been increased by £20 a week, while £63million was announced in June by ministers to help councils feed vulnerable families.

Steve Chalke, chief executive of Oasis Community Learning, which has 53 schools across England, said the trust was ‘stepping up’ plans to help pupils over the festive period as a result of the pandemic.

Mr Chalke told the Press Association: “We realise that this Christmas is going to be dreadful. You’re going to get half the country feasting and the other half with nothing.

“And the number of children in our schools who are now designated as vulnerable has grown by 43%, since the beginning of Covid.”

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