Rotherham councillor sets up free school meals for ward during half-term

A Rotherham councillor has used his ward budget to help schools provide free school meals for children during the half-term holiday.
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Following Wednesday's vote in parliament to not extend free school meals during school holidays, Coun Dominic Beck decided to help.

Coun Beck, Labour councillor for the Wales ward said, it was "shocking" the scheme was not extended.

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Following Manchester United player Marcus Rashford's campaign for free school meals during the holidays, the government did a U-turn and offered free meals to disadvantaged children throughout the summer break.

Marcus Rashford. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA WireMarcus Rashford. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Marcus Rashford. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Despite the footballer's pressure to extend the scheme, the motion was voted down on Wednesday.

Coun Beck said: "It was shocking, just really devastating to the children that receive free school meals, given that it's not going to cost great sums of money, nationally to do this, given all the money [the government] has spent on Track and Trace."

After hearing the news, Coun Beck decided to use some of his ward's devolved budget to give to schools in the area so they could provide meals for children during the holidays.

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After speaking to schools, who all agreed to take part, parents can contact their schools for details about how to get the meals during next week's half term holiday.

Councillor Dominic Beck.Councillor Dominic Beck.
Councillor Dominic Beck.

"Children who received free school meals are already from low income households. So these are families are already operating from hand to mouth, even before the pressures of the pandemic and people losing jobs and being put on a job support scheme or having their income squeezed.

"First thing on Thursday morning I was ringing around the schools, asking them if they'd be up for doing this.

"Funding was a problem, a lot of the schools are already struggling with budgets because of the virus and lack of funding for education.

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"I was able to draw on the devolved budget that local councillors have the disposal to do local projects and to support local initiatives and so that was how we funded it."

The schools taking part are:

Wales High School

Harthill Primary

Kiveton Infants

Kiveton Meadows

Todwick Primary

Wales Junior and Infants

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.