Free School Meals
Due to the fact many constituents have contacted me about the vote on free schools meals, I thought it would be helpful if I fleshed out this emotive topic a little more. I think it is important to say that no one – and I mean no one – wants to see children go hungry.
The debate on 21 October was an allocated Opposition day and any votes are non-binding. They cannot change the law. Labour had already chosen their two topics for debate when footballer Marcus Rashford repeated his call for free school meals (FSM) to be extended during the school holidays.
Clearly, Labour saw a political opportunity and, knowing that we’d vote against them, pushed their debate to a vote. Even if every Conservative MP had voted with Labour, nothing would have changed.
I hope this clears up the procedural side of this debate.
Supporting families
Free school meals have been given to children on low incomes for 100 years. They are available during the school day. This year, because of school closures due to the pandemic, the Government agreed to give supermarket vouchers to families with children entitled to FSMs. The scheme was extended through the summer holidays as the pandemic continued to take its toll, both on our health and economy.
Before the Labour motion was debated, Dorset Council (DC) was given an additional £1.3 million to spend supporting communities across Dorset during the current pandemic. DC is doing an outstanding job, co-ordinating food provision with organisations like food banks, and launching a communications initiative to encourage struggling families to call its helpline on 01305 221000 between 0830 and 1700 on Monday to Friday, or email communityresponse@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Recognising we are living in extraordinary times, the Government has also put an additional £9.2 billion into the welfare state, topping up Universal Credit (UC) by an extra £1,000. This is in place to next April, when it will be reviewed. It is both concerning and reassuring that three million people have enrolled on UC since the pandemic struck.
Personally, I believe UC is a more appropriate and effective way to help low income families, rather than involving schools which are meant to be for education. The councils, too, have a role to play, as they are familiar with issues within their jurisdiction.
The Government has also invested a further £12 million this year in the National Schools Breakfast Programme, extending the pilot to 2021; the aim is to help disadvantaged families.
Additionally, the Government’s Food Charities Grant Fund and the Dorset Coronavirus Community Fund are helping. A new round of grant funding, launched on 26 October, continues to help our local charitable food initiatives prepare for calls on their services.
Charitable sector
I would also like to praise and thank all those organisations that help low income families in a myriad of ways. Communities across South Dorset have stepped up to the plate during this crisis and it is inspirational to see.
I do hope this sets out what the Government has done, is doing, and will continue to do for those who need the most help.
As I said at the beginning, no one wants to see children go hungry and Government/MPs don’t stop listening just because a policy or initiative is in place. The question is how best to ensure the help gets to those who really need it and that it’s appropriately targeted.