News

£2Million Pumped Into Projects to Feed Families Over Summer Holidays

By Ollie Cole, Freelance News Editor 27 Jul 2018
Health, Young People
Credit: USDA /Flickr

£2million of funding will go towards helping to feed thousands of families across England over the summer break, plus give them the chance to take part in free classes and activities it’s been announced.

The project is due to be trialled in 2019, and will be run across the country including the North East, Birmingham, and London.

As well as providing free meals for the most disadvantaged families who rely on Free School Meals during term time, Children and Families minister Nadhim Zahawi said the scheme will also provide activities such as free football classes, play sessions and cooking classes.

Read More: Is There A Right To Food? How To Solve The UK’s Growing Food Poverty Crisis

Mr Zahawi has stated that the projects will provide “a range of support for families” during the summer holidays, and let children access experiences that “won’t just create great memories but will help broaden their horizons and build the confidence they need to succeed.”

Nadhim Zahawi MP. Image Credit: UK Parliament

Poverty levels are on the rise, and according to the UN about 8.4 million people are currently suffering from food insecurity in the UK.

Our right to food is protected by a number of international standards, including Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Children have special provisions, such as those in Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Commenting on the announcement, independent policy advisor Lindsay Graham, who has campaigned on this issue in the past, said that the holidays were “a challenging and costly time for families[…]on a limited income” and that the community led activities are “paramount for helping the most disadvantaged in our society.”

The projects will be run by Children North East, Family Action, Feeding Britain, Birmingham Holiday Kitchen, Onside Youth Zones, Street Games and TLG (Transforming Lives for Good).

 

Featured Image Credit: USDA/Flickr

About The Author

Ollie Cole Freelance News Editor

Ollie is a freelance News Editor for RightsInfo and multimedia journalist. He specialises in broadcast, online, and photography, and has had work published in a number of regional and national outlets.

Ollie is a freelance News Editor for RightsInfo and multimedia journalist. He specialises in broadcast, online, and photography, and has had work published in a number of regional and national outlets.