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U Turn

All credit to Marcus Rashford - the government have just had a change of heart re free school meals during the summer holidays.

Vanessa Smith ● 1882d12 Comments

I would like to see goverment trying to get trade for us. For example yesterday the French president observed covid had showed how many drugs were produced outside Europe, and that we should be making them within Europe. He announced he wanted to see Paracetmol production for all of Europe returned to France. He then announced €610 million for extra research on a Covid vacine. Meanwhile we hear very little about our governments search for trade deals post Brexit

Nicholas Beard ● 1882d

I honestly can't remember when a party of any 'colour' delivered what they promised. Perhaps a half-baked watered down version of the radical change needed but none of them ever seem brave enough or smart enough to fully think things through.

N V Brooks ● 1882d

So many of the present government's announcements are empty promises not backed by action. A compensation scheme for Windrush victims? Only a handful have received anything. Laptops for schools? The same. A world beating track and trace system? They've barely started recruiting. No border in the Irish Sea? You fill in the rest...

Peter Evans ● 1882d

No political point intended, your point was worderas such that it was easy to mininterpret, although I honestly thought that it ws the basis of your argument.I am a lifelong Conservative voter but i despair at the paucity of both compassion and talents that occupies the Government benches.

N V Brooks ● 1882d

You misinterpret me, trying to make your own political point. Indeed, these pernicious acts against poor children are new policy. Marcus Rashford survived because they were not in place when he was growing up. Children growing up today are not so 'lucky'.

Guy Lambert ● 1882d

A lot of other countries are doing a lot. However its not reported on our news. Watch Euro news and you get a different picture. France was giving €29 per day extra to refuse workers. Some frontline health workers were given €300 per month extra. Huge amounts of laptops were given out to students, but there was a British headmaster who was still waiting for his. We are now giving out vouchers for internet connections I see today, a bit late.

Nicholas Beard ● 1882d

Ealing council has a scheme to defer Council Tax payments for those in difficulties.

Peter Evans ● 1882d

The 'two-child' rule which, of course, was not introduced until April 2017 and which did not apply when Marcus Rashford and his siblings were born (it did not affect existing claimants anyway).The benefit cap wasn't even introduced until Marcus Rashford has been at Manchester United for five years and a couple of months before he left school.I am, in no way saying that the situation with child poverty is anything other than a blight on our society but  at least make some effort to get the facts right before trying, and failing, to make a political point.

N V Brooks ● 1882d

All the summer school things and most are specifically for those who get no chance of a proper holiday or activities have had meals provided for a long time. This has been beefed up a lot for this summer .But interesting that whilst home owners are getting mortgage holidays, council tenants and Housing association tenants are not. Nor have council tax demands to those not working been deferred.At the end of the day someone has to pay for all of this and we have gone way beyond what other countries are doing, not to mention the huge treatment bills people are getting.

Raymond Havelock ● 1882d

What I did not fully understand the government is setting up summer camps for the children, so they will get food there. Also opportunities to go climbing and canoeing etc.

Nicholas Beard ● 1882d

Never forget that children like Marcus Rashford used to be have been deliberately and precisely targeted for impoverishment by recent governments because of the two child rule and the benefit cap.https://twitter.com/i/status/1272863997264609281

Guy Lambert ● 1882d

Still incredible to think 200000 children in such poverty. Scavenging in bins for food. Sitting and shaking through hunger.

Nicholas Beard ● 1882d