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Footballer Marcus Rashford receives Manchester award for campaign on free school meals

Wednesday, 28 October 2020 4:51 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 28 October 2020 4:51 PM ]

Marcus Rashford's activism on free school meals has placed the government on the defensive

Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford, is set to receive the City of Manchester Award in recognition of his campaign to secure free meals for disadvantaged children during the half term holiday and beyond.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak intervenes in free school meals dispute

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has intervened in the free school meals dispute by attempting to shift the burden of responsibility onto local councils.

The award recognizes “outstanding and exceptional contribution to the city” by individuals.

Supporting the granting of the award, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Tommy Judge said it was “remarkable” to see Rashford “give a voice to the powerless”.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, told Sky News (October 28) that Rashford’s campaign has the “support of the country” and that the government is “out of touch” on the issue.

Rashford, 22, who also plays for the England national team, has campaigned forcefully on the issue with a view to reversing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s decision not to extend the free meals scheme.

Boris Johnson stands his ground on refusal to extend school meal vouchers

Despite mounting pressure Prime Minister Boris Johnson is refusing to extend free school meals over the half-term holiday.

A petition created by Rashford to apply additional pressure on the government on this issue had attracted just over 1 million signatures by Wednesday afternoon (28 October).

Rashford’s campaign has been so effective as to even destabilize the government on the issue.

Earlier this week a Tory MP in the south of England came under intense criticism after she posted inflammatory material on social media which appeared to mock local businesses that had offered to fill the void left by the government by providing free meals to vulnerable children.