South Ribble politicians clash over Marcus Rashford's free school meals campaign

The Labour leader of South Ribble Borough Council has written to the area’s Conservative MP describing as “incomprehensible” her decision to vote against a motion in Parliament last week that would have seen the families of eligible children handed food vouchers outside term-time between now and Easter 2021.

The £15-per-week vouchers were provided over the summer break this year in recognition of the extra hardships faced by the poorest households as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

That followed a campaign by Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford, which forced a government U-turn on the subject back in June.

The striker has since been spearheading an effort to get the scheme extended, but a Labour move in support of the idea was defeated in the Commons, prompting the striker to express his “despair” that the government would not change course.

South Ribble leader Paul Foster has now sent an open letter to the borough’s MP Katherine Fletcher criticising the fact the she had not spoken to the council before making her “inappropriate” decision over how to vote on an issue that affects more than 2,200 youngsters in the area.

“If you had contacted us, you would have realised that the council directly funds its own ‘Holiday Hunger’ scheme and has done so for the past 18 months. You would also have been armed with the knowledge that we have provided much-needed meals for around 1,164 children over the past couple of weeks, distributing in the region of 5000 meals.

“Your decision not to support our local children has been negatively received by the local community - and to ensure you fully comprehend the challenges our residents face, we would invite you to visit our recently established community hub when we distribute our next round of food to the children.

“You could perhaps assist us in delivering the food parcels - an extremely humbling experience,” Cllr Foster wrote.

Ms. Fletcher told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that “we all want children whose parents are struggling to get help, we just have different views on how best to help”.

She added: “Free school meals are intended to support pupils while they are learning and 99 per cent of schools are now back open. During the holidays, I think local councils, not closed schools are best placed to help struggling families.

“We've given Lancashire County Council £1.5million so they can help those most in need, as well as, nationally, £16 million for food charities for those special groups who know who in their community most requires help.

“We've also added £1,000 a year to Universal Credit - £20 per week to get extra supplies in - and the fabulous teams in the department for work and pensions are amazing at wrapping other support around universal credit to help families,” Ms. Fletcher added.

The LDRS understands that Lancashire County Council has distributed the government’s £1.5m grant – for those struggling to afford food and other essentials – to district councils, using a formula which ensures that the areas with the greatest levels of deprivation receive more support.

The boroughs are free to decide how best to use the cash – including for supporting families during the school holidays. It has been reported that government's own advice accompanying the cash stated that it was intended to last for 12 weeks when it was issued in mid-July.

County council leader Geoff Driver said that his authority will discuss “what further measures can be put in place” for any district which exhausts those funds.

However, several Labour district leaders – and county opposition group leader Azhar Ali – have written to County Cllr Driver calling for more support for the 83,000 Lancashire children living in poverty.

The politicians have demanded that free schools meals provision be extended to school holidays.

"Our young children’s education, their future, their life chances are built upon their health.

“School gate hunger is a modern Dickensian scourge that no politician should turn their backs on.

“And our responsibility does not end at the school gate during holiday periods - we must be equally concerned about holiday hunger.

“We have seen over the last few months how reliance on food banks has grown massively.

“I was appalled to see some of your Conservative parliamentary colleagues say that it is the responsibility of poor parents and not the state and, by virtue, the state should not help those children who are hungry. This sort of attitude not only undermines the health and wellbeing of the poor, but it is also designed to stigmatise them as undeserving,” the councillors wrote.

In response, County Cllr Driver said: “I agree with the sentiments you express about our children's education and this administration is keeping our pledge to narrow the attainment gap between children from poorer backgrounds compared with those from better off families.

“The government has provided £63m [across all councils]…to enable local authorities to provide food for families in need, regardless of whether or not their children are entitled to free school meals.

“I am sure, like me, you will be surprised to hear that two of the district councils have not yet signed the required agreement so that we can hand over their share of [Lancashire’s] £1.453m, so they must be managing with the other not inconsiderable funds provided by government,” County Cllr Driver added.

Meanwhile, a Conservative member of South Ribble Borough Council has resigned from the party because of the government’s stance over free school meals.

Paul Wharton-Hardman, who has represented Farington East since 2015, wrote on Twitter that it was “the final straw”.

“[It is] disgraceful voting against meals for our most vulnerable children,” said the councillor, who previously spent time as an independent during 2017/18.

Cllr Wharton-Hardman was approached for further comment.

The Prime Minister earlier defended his government’s stance on the subject.

"I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger," Boris Johnson said.

"The debate is, how do you deal with it.

“[We will] do everything in our power to make sure that no kid, no child goes hungry".

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