The Government has announced a new £170 million Winter Grant Scheme to support vulnerable families and children, including funding for food over the Christmas and Easter holidays. This decision marks a significant policy reversal, coming after sustained pressure from Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford and his campaign to combat child food poverty.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally telephoned Mr. Rashford on Saturday evening to confirm the change in policy. The new scheme will provide additional funding to councils in England, enabling them to offer direct support to families and individuals most affected by the economic challenges of the pandemic. This support is intended to cover essential costs, including food and utilities.
This latest announcement follows a previous government U-turn in June, also prompted by Mr. Rashford's advocacy, which saw the extension of free school meal vouchers through the 2020 summer holidays. The footballer has consistently argued for the vital importance of ensuring children from low-income backgrounds do not go hungry, particularly during school holidays when access to school-based meal programmes is suspended.
The move has been broadly welcomed by charities and campaigners who have been highlighting the increasing pressure on families during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. However, opposition parties have criticised the Government's initial reluctance to extend the provision, with Labour's Shadow Education Secretary stating that the U-turn was a result of public pressure rather than proactive government action.
The new Winter Grant Scheme is designed to be administered by local authorities, allowing them to tailor support to the specific needs of their communities. Details on how families can access this support are expected to be announced by individual councils in the coming weeks. The funding is intended to be available until March 2021.