Fresh free school meals row as union warns poor families will NOT get food over February half-term

Meal scheme will switch for half-term  The free meal system for school pupils will change over the February half term – as the government tries to balance its books by using a different department’s funding for the food. In a switchover that has the potential to spark some administration issues, meals for those that need … Read more

Priti Patel calls for ‘action’ against food firm Chartwells behind ‘appalling’ free school meals

Priti Patel today called for the £24.8billion-earning company behind the meal parcel that sparked the school dinner scandal to be punished, declaring ‘they should be ashamed of themselves’. The Home Secretary described the food package from Compass group-owned Chartwells as an ‘appalling display’ that was ‘totally unacceptable’. A government investigation is currently underway into the meal, … Read more

Free school meals: Chartwells to include breakfast after criticism

Catering firm Chartwells has announced it will start including breakfast in free school meal deliveries in response to the fierce criticism of its meagre parcels.  The under-fire schools food provider has apologised and vowed to raise standards after parents railed against the paltry lunches it was sending their children.    Boris Johnson branded the boxes of … Read more

Catering firm Chartwells at centre of free school meals scandal says it will now include breakfast

Catering firm Chartwells has announced it will start including breakfast in free school meal deliveries in response to the fierce criticism of its meagre parcels.  The under-fire schools food provider has apologised and vowed to raise standards after parents railed against the paltry lunches it was sending their children.    Boris Johnson branded the boxes of … Read more

Free school meals: Marcus Rashford prompts another government U-turn

Parents will be able to claim food vouchers from next week after an outcry over paltry free school meal parcels forced another Government U-turn. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson today announced he would be reintroducing the £15 vouchers from January 18. He told MPs he was ‘absolutely disgusted’ by images shared by angry parents laying bare … Read more

Boris vows to crackdown on free school meal firms after meeting with Marcus Rashford

Boris Johnson told footballer Marcus Rashford this morning paltry school meal hampers were ‘unacceptable’ – as one teacher admtted spending as little as £1 per meal rather due to ‘overheads’. The Prime Minister spoke to the Manchester United footballer following 48 hours of appalling images of sorry-looking groceries went around the internet. It came as … Read more

Marcus Rashford blasts ‘unacceptable’ food parcel supposed to feed a child for a fortnight

How much should the free school meals really be worth?  Free school meal allowances are usually £2.34 per pupil per day, an additional £3.50 per seven days has been added in lockdown, equalling £15.20 a week. The Government has told schools to work with their school catering team or provider to make up the food … Read more

Marcus Rashford blasts ‘unacceptable’ food parcel supposed to feed a family for three days

Keir Starmer and Marcus Rashford slam ‘disgraceful’ free school meals parcel given to mother to ‘last 10 days’ that she estimates cost £5.22 as children’s minister vows to look into claims Children’s minister Vicky Ford vowed to look into a report by a mother on Twitter The woman, who goes by @RoadsideMum on Twitter, shared … Read more

Marcus Rashford reveals Manchester United coaches didn’t know he went without food

Marcus Rashford reveals Manchester United youth teammates and coaches didn’t realise he went without food and says it ‘should never be normal for someone to feel like I felt’ in new documentary Marcus Rashford, 23, speaks about struggles growing up in new documentary Manchester United star says club’s youth coaches didn’t know the situation Said … Read more

Marcus Rashford honoured during BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Marcus Rashford honoured for his efforts to end child food poverty with a ‘Panel Special Award’ during BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year as Manchester United star admits he ‘didn’t expect’ reaction to his campaign Marcus Rashford was honoured at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards He was given a Panel Special Award … Read more