Free school meals MAPPED: Where can you find free school meals near you?
FOOD outlets are offering free meals for children across the country in lieu of a lack of free school meals over half term, so where can you find free meals near you?
Ben Bradley defends government decision on free school meals
Across England last week many pupils had a week off from school for October half term, and this week the rest of England’s school children will follow. In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has seen many people lose their jobs and income, there have been extensive calls for free school meals to be extended over the October half term. Footballer Marcus Rashford has been campaigning for free school meals for children, and a petition has gained almost a million signatures from members of the public.
The initiative was backed by the Labour Party, who tabled the vote for the motion in Parliament.
However Conservative MPs voted down the proposal in a Commons vote last week.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested the party could force another Commons vote on free school meals if the Government doesn’t U-turn on its current stance by the Christmas school holidays.
Sir Keir tweeted: “Labour will force another vote on free school meals if the Government does not change course before the Christmas break.”
READ MORE: Free School meals: Will there be second vote on free school meals?
He added: “It's not too late to do the right thing.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted on a recent visit that provisions will be made for children who need meals during the Christmas break.
During a visit to a hospital in Reading, Mr Johnson said: "We don't want to see children going hungry this winter, this Christmas, certainly not as a result of any inattention by this Government - and you are not going to see that.”
The Prime Minister said he had not spoken to Mr Rashford since June, but added "what he is doing is terrific".
He said: "We support the local councils - indeed we fund the local councils and many of the organisations that are helping in this period - but we are also uplifting Universal Credit by £1,000 and we think that is one of the best ways you can help families in this tough time.
"I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger, it is there, we have to deal with it. The debate is how do you deal with it."
The Government’s response to the motion has been met with significant criticism, prompting a number of local businesses to take action.
A number of food outlets and restaurants across England are currently offering free meals for children during the half term.
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Where can you find free school meals near you?
Inspired by Mr Rashford’s efforts, the #FreeSchoolMeals website is dedicated to helping people find free meals for children.
The website features a postcode finder tool, so you can find outlets near you offering free meals for children.
There is also an interactive map showing restaurants and food shops taking part in the initiative.
The website states: “No child deserves to be hungry, no child should be without food.
“Inspired by Marcus Rashford's efforts to get school meals extended through the holidays this directory will provide a list of businesses, services and organisations offering meals.”
You can access the schoolmealfinder.org website HERE.
The site also includes details on how to find local food banks.