Communities rally to feed disadvantaged children during the holidays

The government is facing mounting pressure for a u-turn on the decision, which was supported by eight out of nine Lincolnshire MPs, including Matt Warman, Boston and Skegness, and Victoria Atkins, Louth and Horncastle, including Spilsby.

Labour called for the provision of hot food for children to carry on until Easter 2021, however the motion was defeated by a majority of 61.

Leading the vote, Labour’s shadow education secretary Kate Green said more than 1.4 million children benefit from free school meals nationally.

Almost 900,000 of those eligible were now in areas subject to tougher COVID-19 restrictions, she added.

“In the summer, when this issue was debated in this House, the government saw sense, did the right thing and ensured that no child would go hungry over the summer holidays,” she said.

“This time, however, despite many families facing even more challenging circumstances now than they did four months ago, shamefully the government are walking away from their obligation to hungry children.”

Her counterpart, education secretary Gavin Williamson, however, said the government was in a different position.

“Free school meals are and always have been about supporting children with a meal to help them when they’re at school or currently at home learning,” he said.

“But it is our support through universal credit and our comprehensive welfare system that supports families.”

Lincolnshire County Council has also pointed out it has received £835,000 from the government for additional support for vulnerable people, which has already been allocated.

However, on Monday, Coun Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said: “No young person should have to go hungry and ensuring vulnerable pupils are provided for is a top priority for councils.

“Short-term hardship funding provided by the Government this summer helped councils try and provide much-needed crisis support to all households - including those without children – struggling to afford food but also fuel and other essentials.

“Demand for support from households facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 has outstripped this funding now and councils are having to find money from stretched budgets to top it up.

"This is increasingly difficult as they continue to face rising costs of providing services - such as adult social care, protecting children and housing rough sleepers - and income losses as a result of the pandemic.

“As many households are likely to be economically vulnerable for some time to come, it is vital that the Government restores local welfare funding so councils can provide preventative support to all households who need it.”

Among the local businesses who have decided to step in to help children during the holidays by providing free school meals is the Bridge Chippy at Burgh le Marsh.

Angie Deacon, who launched the initiative on social media, said: "We have a lot of children in Burgh le Marsh of all ages.

"I couldn't bear to think they were going hungry.

"So thought it would be nice to offer the free meals to children from the village.

"We are also offering them a drink because a friend of mine has donated £50 to buy some."

In Skegness, Jack Johnson of Phoenix Fitness is sponsoring local businesses to provide free sandwiches to disadvantaged children.

"It was inspired by hard times people have fallen on," he said.

"In today's age no-one should ever struggle to feed their children.

"However, they have been been put in that situation through no fault of their own."

Businesses taking part include Hot Road and Farmhouse Bakery in Lumley Road, and Roman Bank Bakery.

The deal includes a sandwich, fruit and a drink.

Suzy Wain, owner of the Hot Roast and Farmhouse Bakery, said they were delighted to get involved.

"It's great to see Jack wants to support the children in this way and we are delighted to get on board to help," she said.

Anyone interested in the offer should personal message Phoenix Fitness on Facebook and show proof a child is eligible for free school meals. They will then be added to a list which will be passed on to the businesses.

Schools are also being able to provide some help, thank to local supermarket Morrisons.

Joanne Hazard, of the Richmond School in Skegness, said : "Hannah Boyes at Morrisons has been in touch and said the store wanted to help. They are donating 30 lunch boxes a day to local schools for children who qualify for free school meals.

"Our day is Thursday 10am-2pm at customer services at the Skegness branch."

HOW LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL IS HELPING LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Lincolnshire County Council has responded to calls for the provision of free school meals to low income families over the half term holiday.

Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We have no intention of leaving vulnerable children or anyone else to go hungry over holiday periods.

“The government has made substantial additional financial support to low income families to further help them in these difficult times.

“LCC also received £835,000 from the government for additional support for vulnerable people which we have already allocated as follows:

- additional funding of almost £400,000 to the Lincolnshire Food Partnership to ensure new and emerging local food banks will have grants and support in place to help them to thrive. To find details of your local food bank go to www.lincolnfoodpartnership.org/

- we've also given a further £215,000 to the Community Lincs Programme run by the YMCA which support Good Neighbour schemes and food kitchens for communities in Lincolnshire. You can find schemes in your area here: www.maphub.net/LincsGNS/lincs-gns

- during the Covid 19 pandemic we've also provided the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) with £217,000 to bulk purchase food stock to support our most vulnerable residents.

“As always we will respond to requests for support positively and if there are children in need we will of course act immediately to keep them safe. If people need help then they can contact us on 01522 782030 and we will direct you to further support.”