maybe I’m mistaken - I thought that these 15£ vouchers were to spend on food items only and can be redeemed in supermarkets. Obviously this poses a problem for horrible parents who want to use them to buy booze.
Rashford | takes on the government over free meals for kids - and wins
- Thread starter sullydnl
- Start date
Being thanked by Johnson at the moment.
Journos are using Rashford as a stick to beat Johnson with. Brilliant
Journos are using Rashford as a stick to beat Johnson with. Brilliant
Marcus Rashford: Ending child poverty is a bigger trophy than any in football
Tuesday June 16 2020, The Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...-bigger-trophy-than-any-in-football-vz7z3brpp
It can be funny where your career takes you sometimes. If someone had said ten years ago that I would one day be writing for The Times I would have laughed, and yet here I am on Monday evening opening this with a question that has been playing on my mind all day: have I done enough?
I barely slept on Sunday night, nervous and worried about the delivery of my open letter, not because of the stance I was taking — that was never in doubt — but because I knew the impact a U-turn decision could have on families just like mine: low-income families who rarely have a voice.
People often ask me how it felt to score the deciding penalty against PSG to knock them out of the Champions League last season, my answer is always the same: did we go on to win the tournament? I have been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received over the last 24 hours, from MPs and members of the public, but the feeling I have is exactly the same as when we got knocked out of the Champions League against Barcelona in the next round: what did we achieve if we didn’t get the result we needed? If we didn’t lift the Champions League trophy?
Today I focus on a trophy that stands for something much bigger than football. A U-turn on the decision to stop the free food voucher scheme continuing over the summer holidays could help us reach the next round but we still have a very long way to go as a country to eventually lift the trophy. In this case, the trophy is combating child poverty.
I don’t claim to have the education of an MP in parliament, but I do have a social education. I am clued up on the difference a U-turn decision would make on the 1.3 million vulnerable children across the UK who are registered for free school meals because ten years ago I was one of them.
I know what it feels like to be hungry. I’m well aware that at times my friends only invited me to eat at their houses for their parents’ reassurance that I was eating that evening. That was my community, the community that made the Marcus Rashford you see before you today asking for your help: an England international footballer. As I passed through Manchester city centre on the bus as a child and witnessed homelessness on every street corner, I swore that if one day I got in a position to help those people most in need then that is what I would do.
I recognise that I have a valuable platform that allows my voice to be heard and I’m asking you to listen to the stories of these vulnerable families. People are hurting and we continue to ignore their cries for help. Of the 1.3 million children registered for free school meals, a quarter of them have not received any help to date during the lockdown — a forgotten generation.
When you next wake up and run your shower, take a second to think about parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown. When you turn on the kettle to make a cup of tea or coffee, think of those parents who have had to default on electricity bill payments just to make ends meet, having lost their jobs during the pandemic.
And when you head to the fridge to grab the milk, stop and recognise that parents of at least 200,000 children across the country are waking up to empty shelves and the innocent question “why?”. Today nine out of thirty children in any given classroom are asking why. Why does their future not matter?
This is the devastating reality of child poverty in England in 2020. This is a pandemic that will last generations if we don’t change our thinking now.
We should consider that these pandemics we are living through, Covid-19 and child poverty, will have huge effects on the long-term mental stability of both parents and children, and their reintegration into society. A society which, in their eyes, is failing them.
My mum would go days without sleeping, worrying about how she would cover the next round of bills, worried that I could get in trouble, mixing with the wrong crowds, if she couldn’t keep her eyes on me while working every hour of the day. Even at seven or eight years old I recognised her worry, but I also recognised that she was trying her best. I’ve said it once and I will say it again: this system was not built for families like mine to succeed, no matter how hard we are working.
I’ve heard the term “ordinarily” used often over the past 24 hours. I think we can all agree that these are far from ordinary times, so our approach should be anything but ordinary to protect our vulnerable children.
When it comes to pulling the national team shirt on we put any rivalry aside — we are England and we stand united. Today I am asking that all MPs put their rivalries aside and stand in solidarity on an issue that could prove detrimental to the stability of families across the country for generations to come. Help us break the cycle of hardship.
Please, do the right thing and extend the free food voucher scheme throughout the school summer holidays. Give our vulnerable families just one less thing to worry about.
Marcus Rashford is a footballer for Manchester United and England
Tuesday June 16 2020, The Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...-bigger-trophy-than-any-in-football-vz7z3brpp
It can be funny where your career takes you sometimes. If someone had said ten years ago that I would one day be writing for The Times I would have laughed, and yet here I am on Monday evening opening this with a question that has been playing on my mind all day: have I done enough?
I barely slept on Sunday night, nervous and worried about the delivery of my open letter, not because of the stance I was taking — that was never in doubt — but because I knew the impact a U-turn decision could have on families just like mine: low-income families who rarely have a voice.
People often ask me how it felt to score the deciding penalty against PSG to knock them out of the Champions League last season, my answer is always the same: did we go on to win the tournament? I have been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received over the last 24 hours, from MPs and members of the public, but the feeling I have is exactly the same as when we got knocked out of the Champions League against Barcelona in the next round: what did we achieve if we didn’t get the result we needed? If we didn’t lift the Champions League trophy?
Today I focus on a trophy that stands for something much bigger than football. A U-turn on the decision to stop the free food voucher scheme continuing over the summer holidays could help us reach the next round but we still have a very long way to go as a country to eventually lift the trophy. In this case, the trophy is combating child poverty.
I don’t claim to have the education of an MP in parliament, but I do have a social education. I am clued up on the difference a U-turn decision would make on the 1.3 million vulnerable children across the UK who are registered for free school meals because ten years ago I was one of them.
I know what it feels like to be hungry. I’m well aware that at times my friends only invited me to eat at their houses for their parents’ reassurance that I was eating that evening. That was my community, the community that made the Marcus Rashford you see before you today asking for your help: an England international footballer. As I passed through Manchester city centre on the bus as a child and witnessed homelessness on every street corner, I swore that if one day I got in a position to help those people most in need then that is what I would do.
I recognise that I have a valuable platform that allows my voice to be heard and I’m asking you to listen to the stories of these vulnerable families. People are hurting and we continue to ignore their cries for help. Of the 1.3 million children registered for free school meals, a quarter of them have not received any help to date during the lockdown — a forgotten generation.
When you next wake up and run your shower, take a second to think about parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown. When you turn on the kettle to make a cup of tea or coffee, think of those parents who have had to default on electricity bill payments just to make ends meet, having lost their jobs during the pandemic.
And when you head to the fridge to grab the milk, stop and recognise that parents of at least 200,000 children across the country are waking up to empty shelves and the innocent question “why?”. Today nine out of thirty children in any given classroom are asking why. Why does their future not matter?
This is the devastating reality of child poverty in England in 2020. This is a pandemic that will last generations if we don’t change our thinking now.
We should consider that these pandemics we are living through, Covid-19 and child poverty, will have huge effects on the long-term mental stability of both parents and children, and their reintegration into society. A society which, in their eyes, is failing them.
My mum would go days without sleeping, worrying about how she would cover the next round of bills, worried that I could get in trouble, mixing with the wrong crowds, if she couldn’t keep her eyes on me while working every hour of the day. Even at seven or eight years old I recognised her worry, but I also recognised that she was trying her best. I’ve said it once and I will say it again: this system was not built for families like mine to succeed, no matter how hard we are working.
I’ve heard the term “ordinarily” used often over the past 24 hours. I think we can all agree that these are far from ordinary times, so our approach should be anything but ordinary to protect our vulnerable children.
When it comes to pulling the national team shirt on we put any rivalry aside — we are England and we stand united. Today I am asking that all MPs put their rivalries aside and stand in solidarity on an issue that could prove detrimental to the stability of families across the country for generations to come. Help us break the cycle of hardship.
Please, do the right thing and extend the free food voucher scheme throughout the school summer holidays. Give our vulnerable families just one less thing to worry about.
Marcus Rashford is a footballer for Manchester United and England
Typical English winger. All pace, no technique, feeds hungry kids.
He was also teaching P.E on Cbeebies
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So proud that such a humble, inspirational young talent plays for the club I support. That's a greater achievement than most political parties' manifestos promise. It's unreal, I can't quite get my head around it.
Cheering him on when he steps out onto the pitch and scores a banger from 30 yards is going to be absolutely incredible. Easily my favourite player and most inspirational icon now.
Cheering him on when he steps out onto the pitch and scores a banger from 30 yards is going to be absolutely incredible. Easily my favourite player and most inspirational icon now.
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This is very nice to see
Just saw a United fan telling Rashford to stop with the 'socialist awash' and if he takes a knee against Spurs that will be the final straw. Overwhelming comments slating this fan for threatening to stop supporting the club.
Arise Sir Marcus ...well maybe not just yet, but he richly deserves recognition for a fantastic cause.
Well done Marcus you’ve made us all proud.
Well done Marcus you’ve made us all proud.
Who comes out against feeding kids?
Couldn't agree more. Simply amazing what he has achieved.
Takes a special sort of moral depravity to get outraged by efforts to make sure that underprivileged and at risk youth are fed...
We don't need rotten 'fans' like that as a club,they can go support Chelsea or some other dirty oil club if they don't give a rats ass about others
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I hope he takes a knee, raises his fist, wears a beret while playing Fight The Power by Public Enemy
So damn proud of Rash..... good lad
What a human being. He has to get royal recognition. OBE at least.
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Well done marcus. He has shown maturity beyond his years. What a wonderful human being.
P.S: Who is this katie hopkins and what is her problem with kids being fed? Is this what covert racism looks like?
P.S: Who is this katie hopkins and what is her problem with kids being fed? Is this what covert racism looks like?
What I like about this is it's a cause that the media wouldn't give two hoots about (i.e. he's not just piggybacking on something that's already popular) and so he's had to create the pressure on No10 himself using only his name and words. It's a serious issue but most people weren't even aware of it until he spoke out because honestly how many people are going to read a story about a school meal scheme. The guy is grounded, a great ambassador for the club and a solid role model.
Future England Captain
Future England Captain
So proud of him. Great footballer, but a even greater human being. Fantastic.
He’s really cemented his position on the left wing this season.
If there are any MP's who opposed this they should be named and shamed.
Well done Marcus. Not only a special talent but a special person.
Well done Marcus. Not only a special talent but a special person.
Couldn't be prouder of Rashford
amazing kid
strangely I think this gives us a real lift and positivity going into our match as well (but my head may be up my ass on this)
amazing kid
strangely I think this gives us a real lift and positivity going into our match as well (but my head may be up my ass on this)
Katie Hopkins is a vile so called journalist. She feeds off being negative and just generally awful. I'm glad City put her right in her place.
Good on City
At the end of the day, City are a Manchester club that has drawn its support from the same demographic in Manchester. Traditionally that includes people from generally working class backgrounds who will be affected by this.
Great stuff from Marcus. Truly remarkable how he has grown into such a leader and role model.
Her Twitter feed is horrible to say the least. She says mothers should think about feeding the kids before having them all the while completely ignoring the fact that covid 19 has pushed so many families to the brink. She is one horrible person. Hope she loses her job for this shit.
Vile creature. I would probably get banned if I said what I really think of her. Do you know how we use the term "I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy". Well, this doesn't apply for this woman.
His mum must be mad proud. Well done!
Say what you want about City, but fair play, as with Liverppol. Rivalry means nothing when combating situations like this. Also, that Hopkins burn
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Glad to see that vile woman getting treated with the level of respect she deserves
Been actively targeting and inciting hatred aimed at certain groups for years
Quite shocking that she is only 45 years old. She looks like she is much older & gnarled. Reminiscent of Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Both looked years older; I guess that’s what happens to twats who spew lies & hatred on a daily basis.
so easy to thrash BJ on so many fronts, but this might be true.
His advisors knew about the story, but most likely only properly briefed him with an SOS on U-Turn this morning, because it was now a massive story and an appalling look for the tories.
Or its being spun.
Either way, in the end everyone comes out on the right side, which is good for all.
Kid reacts to being able to eat.
A class act on and off the pitch....Proud of you Marcus...,
feck me is that real quote? I know she has a rep for being a cnut but that's a level beyond that...