As kids, our parents told us that we had to be grateful for the freedoms and liberties we so regularly took for granted in the United Kingdom. We counted ourselves lucky that we had food on the table, a roof over our heads, and access to clean water like many other children around the world in under-developed countries.
Marcus Rashford’s campaign to provide free school meals for underprivileged children across the UK during the COVID-19 lockdown received a vast amount of praise, with bipartisan MPs welcoming the motion. It even resulted in the young athlete receiving an MBE for his philanthropic actions, and he has been dubbed a ‘national hero’ for his efforts to stop child hunger.
On 21 October, however, the majority of Tory MPs across England and Wales voted against providing the meals for children over the half-term holidays, with just FIVE in favour – dashing hopes for Rashford’s campaign.
Naturally, Brits reacted with fury – with businesses across the country barring MPs from its premises, and MPs and their employees receiving angry emails from their constituents. The controversial vote has even led to a few MPs leaving their positions as it goes against their morals.
When I first saw the news broke, I was initially disgusted. I wasn’t entitled to free school meals as a kid, but it’s not difficult to put yourself in the shoes of someone who relies on them. How could a country that prides itself on its citizens’ liberties be so cruel as to deny children from working-class families, who struggle to pay for their bills, the right to a decent meal? I thought it disgraceful, especially given the current situation that our country faces.
Lockdown has taken a massive toll on our livelihoods. No one could have predicted our country would plunge into a deep economic depression with people across the country facing redundancies, job losses, the deaths of loved ones, and even poverty.
It makes no sense. We are a country, devastated by a recession no one would have imagined at the beginning of this year. These unprecedented times have left so many uncertain about how they can provide for their families.
My question is:
Why should it be down to the British public to provide decent meals for our country’s young?
Some will argue that most low-income parents are spending the money on non-essential resources – such as booze, drugs, or the latest iPhone. Items that are usually classed as not pivotal to a person’s daily life. There is no doubt that there are a minority of parents who do this. I massively beg to differ. These allegations come from socioeconomic discrimination and generalisation of the lower classes. But why should that mean the children themselves suffer from starvation because of the irresponsible choices their parents may make? For all we know, their only meal of the day could be during lunch hour at school.
Currently, children who are younger than the compulsory age for starting school and are in full-time education are eligible for free meals in government-funded schools. For the sixth biggest economy in the world, especially in the West, it’s shameful that children are being allowed to starve.
I’m from one of the most deprived boroughs in Kent which currently holds the worst infection rate across the entire South East. I know people with kids who have been made redundant and lost their jobs from the pandemic. I can’t imagine how an MP, who was democratically elected to office to serve another five years, can turn their backs on their constituents who are in need.
The children of Great Britain deserve better. They deserve to eat a full meal, whether at school or not if they are unfortunate to be living in poverty. Even more so, the British government need to have more compassion for the people who will be this country’s future.
What message are we sending to our youngsters in a first world country, that if children are from low-income families, they don’t deserve to eat? It is my sincere belief that if the Conservative Party have any chance of re-election in 2024, they need to change their stance on child poverty seriously.
It’s time we stopped child hunger in the UK. If you are in a financial crisis and need to provide for your little ones, please visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/ or phone 0800 208 2138 (Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm).
Words by Cameron Jull