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Eat Nout to Help Out

UK’s vote against extending free school meals and the disproportionate impact on the north


The British government has received intense scrutiny after it voted 322-261 against the motion to extend free meals until Easter 2021 to prevent “over a million children going hungry.” The Conservative Party issued a three-line whip on its MPs to vote against the motion; by doing so, all Conservative MPs – excluding five who broke the whip – voted it down.


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A food bank based in Cornwall, England.

Photograph: Lucy Piper/Alamy Stock Photo


An increased reliance on food banks

For a country ranked sixth in the world economy as of 2019, with GDP standing at $2.83 trillion and exports accounting for 31% of this figure, its citizens have become increasingly reliant on food banks. Food bank use has increased by 74% in the last five years, the primary reasons being low income, benefit delays, and benefit changes. Food banks have since seen a substantial increase in use due to the surge in economic insecurity following COVID-19. The number of households with children claiming universal credit has increased by 45% between January and May. A further spike in unemployment has been predicted in alignment with the second wave of the virus. The government should be committed to ensuring that families can afford basic necessities now more than ever since more people are facing destitution as a direct result of the country being subjected to austerity over the past ten years and the additional impact of the pandemic.



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BAME students and white ethnic minorities are more likely to rely on food banks and free meals.

©Made in Manchester


Exploring the socioeconomic statistics

1.4 million children are eligible for free school meals in England; this equates to 17% of the student population. That is the same figure in Scotland, 20% in Wales, and 28% in Northern Ireland. Numerous studies show that eligibility is highest in the northeast, northwest, and west midlands, thus emulating established trends surrounding regional deprivation and wealth. Increased eligibility equally coincides with BAME and white ethnic minority students. Irish travellers (60%), Bangladeshi (30%), and Black (45%) students are amongst the highest in this category. The northwest has consistently had the highest numbers of children and adults who rely on food banks, with figures totalling 252,165 in 2019/2020, according to Trussell Trust. Regarding the whole of the UK, figures show almost two million parcels have been handed out this year alone.



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U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation

©United Nations


Eligibility vs. insecurity

Free school meal eligibility is a measurement derived from children living in households who claim income-related benefits providing their annual household income does not exceed £7,400 after tax excluding welfare benefits. The problem with this lies in the fact that it is a measure of income rather than food insecurity. A 2018 report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation concluded that around 2.2. million people were severely food insecure. A distinct dichotomy can therefore be drawn between the UK being the 14th wealthiest country in Europe and obtaining the highest figures for food insecurity in Europe. A survey carried out by Young Woman’s Trust found that almost half of young mothers had missed meals to provide for their children. Based on this, it is evident that the core issue at the heart of the motion runs much deeper than a vote.


The government’s position

The government previously U-turned on extending meals during the summer holidays earlier this year after uproar and public pressure; it refuses to do so again. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis defended the government's position, explaining that "We've put the uplift into universal credit, just over £1000 a year. But also, very specifically we've put £63m into local authorities to support and help people in hardship”. Lewis defined this as “the right way to do it” as local councils can offer more targeted support. However, the issue of extending free school meals has become that of a postcode lottery and a somewhat parliamentary ping pong as not every council has agreed to provide the funding.


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Marcus Rashford: Star football player and food security activist.

©Manchester United via Getty Images


Rallying together

Despite this, public pressure is mounting on the government to reconsider its decision. Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford has played a fundamental role in the campaign to combat child hunger. His petition has gathered over a million signatures since the motion was voted down on the 21st of October. Several businesses have subsequently vowed to aid Rashford by starting their own campaigns to extend free school meals over the holidays.

Working-class families and those receiving benefits are too often stigmatised. In the last week, the UK has witnessed the power of looking at a situation with compassion rather than judgement. Local communities across the nation have rallied together to uplift those in need of extra support – a clear demonstration of the power of the people when the government falls short.


How to help

Vote next election! A higher turnout makes for a more effective government that is elected on behalf of the people.


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