Rashford 'overwhelmed' as UK government pledges to fight child poverty

Marcus Rashford hailed the ‘greatest moment of my life’ after his campaign to help disadvantaged youths in the United Kingdom took a positive turn.

Rashford’s campaign to make the UK government offer a free school meals scheme over the holiday season to aid struggling families, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures, has paid off.

The Manchester United striker held a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday regarding ways to help the less privileged families during these hard times, and a plan is now in motion.

"I thanked him on behalf of the families"@MarcusRashford tells #BBCBreakfast what he said to the Prime Minister after he revealed a new almost £400m support package to tackle holiday hunger for children in England. https://t.co/I7X2hRrY9F pic.twitter.com/lh0s2SUKdM

— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) November 8, 2020

Reports state the government will invest over £400m as part of a winter grant scheme aimed at supporting poor children and families.

It’s a significant turnaround, especially as officials had previously claimed Universal Credit would offer sufficient support.

But the government will now distribute support package funds of £170m through councils in the UK starting from early December until the end of March.

A £220m investment, meanwhile, is set to cover the holiday food and activities program throughout Easter, summer, and Christmas of next year.

The national food banks will also receive a cash injection of £16m.

“I had a good conversation with the prime minister to better understand the proposed plan, and I very much welcome the steps that have been taken to combat child food poverty in the UK,” Rashford wrote on Twitter.

🇬🇧#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY pic.twitter.com/qT6bUH28zM

— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) November 8, 2020

“There is still so much more to do, and my immediate concern is the approximate 1.7m children who miss out on free school meals, holiday provision and Healthy Start vouchers because their family income isn’t quite low enough, but the intent the government have shown today is nothing but positive and they should be recognised for that.

“I am so proud of ‘us’ as a collective. ‘Us’ being the local businesses, charity workers, volunteers, teachers, social workers, carers, and key workers.

“Together we have demonstrated the power of kindness and compassion. We have shown that when it comes down to the wire, we will always have each other.

“Seeing the role everyone has played in supporting our most vulnerable children has been the greatest moment of my life. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of empathy and understanding.”