Marcus Rashford MBE petition hits 1 million

The petition to end child poverty started by Marcus Rashford's food foundation has hit 1 million signatures.

They are bringing growing pressure on the government to U-turn on the decision to vote against free school meals.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation said: "The petition shows just how many citizens want a lasting solution to child hunger.  

The Government must act without delay and implement the three recommendations in the National Food Strategy."

A number of establishments have already banned prominent Conservative MPs from their businesses for voting against the proposed bill to provide meals over the half-term.

Over 1000 organisations have also registered on the www.kidsmealsmap.co.uk designed to support families and show the businesses, local authorities and  community organisations who are providing free meals to vulnerable children over the October half term.  

The Food Foundation are also hoping that MP’s use it as an opportunity to visit projects in their local area who are on the front line in food provision to the most vulnerable families.

Link to petition: here

For the original article on this petition click here.

There are no words left

The recent terrorist attack in France has led to further arrests.

I had no words at the weekend to express the necessary support for those in France affected.

I still don't.

I only write now to express sadness that we have found ourselves here again.

Teaching isn't meant to be an inflammatory act.

We should all share in this sadness.

These are dark days.

Tough new restrictions to hit London

London is entering “a short” tier two lockdown.

This means bars and restaurants for larger groups will be severely restricted, as households can’t mix in them.

Journeys should be reduced and indoor exercising is only allowed if household mixing can be avoided.

Single person households can bubble.

Schools, universities and places of worship can stay open.

So we can learn and we can pray, but we can’t socialise.

This really should be short, we don’t all pray.

However, Liverpool and Scotland have been enduring restrictions worse than this for longer.

Restrictions come into place tonight at midnight.

Marcus Rashford MBE launches petition on child food poverty

Marcus Rashford MBE, the Manchester United England International Footballer has today launched a Parliamentary Petition, calling on the General Public to pledge support to #endchildfoodpoverty. 

He has petitioned the government once before to U-turn on their decision to withdraw free school meals vouchers over the summer.

Marcus Rashford said: “Child food poverty in the UK is not a result of COVID-19.

In 2020, no child in the UK should be going to bed hungry, nor should they be sat in classrooms concerned about how their younger siblings are going to eat that day.”

He is asking for the government to commission three vital recommendations from the Government commissioned National Food Strategy:

Expansion of free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5 million 7-16 year olds.

Expansion of holiday provision (food and activities) to support all children on free school meals, reaching an additional 1.1 million children.

Increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week (from £3.10) and expanding into all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 pregnant women and children under the age of four.

The #endchildfoodpoverty campaign is supported by the Child Food Poverty Task Force which was formed by Marcus Rashford, a further 20 charities and key names in the food industry. 

Data released by the Food Foundation today reveals 18% of 8-17 year olds (1.4 million children) reported experiences of food insecurity over the summer holidays.

6.3% of children said they were worried about going hungry during the October half term.

Rising numbers of families are struggling with an 11% (850,000) of children aged 8-17 reporting that either they or their families had visited a foodbank in the summer holidays.  This was over 60% higher in non–white British ethnic groups.

Link to petition here.

World Mental Health Day

This World Mental Health Day they are promoting Do One Thing for your mental health.

I recommend calling a friend.

We forget our friends when times are tough, but they are often the best people to see us through.

Therapy can also be helpful, but it’s friends that offer lasting support.

Covert Human Intelligence Bill passes the Commons

The Covert Human Intelligence Bill passed the House of Commons yesterday with a vote of 182 votes to 20.

A number of Labour MPs broke the whip to provide opposition to the bill.

Nadia Whittome has said in a statement that: “The Bill is a licence for the intelligence agencies to authorise its agents to commit even the most serious of crimes with immunity from prosecution.”

Two Plaid Cymru and one SDLP member stood in opposition alongside the Labour rebels.

Read the full debate.

Full details of the voting break down here.

The bill is yet to be ratified.