News 16 June 2020
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UK Government Makes U-Turn On Food Voucher Scheme Following Marcus Rashford’s Campaign

16 June 2020
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Following an appeal from Marcus Rashford, the government has reversed its decision to end free school meal vouchers over summer.

A spokesperson for Boris Johnson has said today (June 16) the prime minister “understands children and parents face unprecedented situations” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and free food vouchers will now continue to be available for vulnerable families during the summer holidays.


Following the announcement of lockdown the government introduced the national voucher system to support low income families feed children while schools were closed but earlier this month, it was revealed the scheme would end during the summer holidays.

Manchester United’s Rashford shared an emotional open letter to MPs yesterday (June 15), urging them to reverse their decision to reduce the pressure felt by low income families.

The footballer has taken to Twitter to react to the government’s u-turn, writing: “I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”

Rashford’s open letter to MPs was retweeted by 140,000 users on Twitter, and has resulted in the government providing pupils who qualify for free school meals in England with supermarket food vouchers to cover the six-week summer holiday.