COVID Summer Food Fund confirmed
I welcome the Government's decision to continue to provide vouchers through the 'COVID Summer Food Fund' and thank Marcus Rashford and others for their efforts in raising the profile of this important matter. Details of this scheme can be found here.
The food voucher scheme was launched by the Government in March as a response to school closures during lockdown to make sure those children who usually benefit from free school meals still had access to healthy and nutritious meals when not attending school. In addition to this scheme the Government provided £63 million for those families and local communities who have faced real financial difficulties and who might struggle to access food as a result of the pandemic.
The importance of education
"It is more important than ever before to make sure the needs of the most disadvantaged are at the heart of everything we do. We cannot afford for any of our children to lose out of their education as a result of COVID-19." Children’s Minister Vicky Ford
As a former teacher, I share the views of Vicky Ford MP in believing that one of the best things we can do to help our most vulnerable children is to give them the education and support they need to put them to help them take advantage of all of life’s opportunities. This is why I'm also pleased that the Government has announced a package of education measures, including a £1 billion ‘Covid catch-up fund’, which seeks to ensure no child is left behind as a result of COVID-19.
A broader, more complete approach
Perhaps most importantly, the earlier decision to run the Government’s existing 'Holiday Activities and Food' programme for another year will also mean thousands of disadvantaged children are provided with access to free activities and healthy, nutritious meals over the summer holidays. Whilst the continuation of the food voucher scheme is welcomed, it is my view that a supermarket voucher cannot offer the same level of support, or the same guarantees of physical and social nourishment, as existing schemes such as the Holiday Activities and Food scheme can for our most vulnerable children. It is this broader more complete approach that I favour over the long term.
