MPs to debate child food poverty petition started by Marcus Rashford

End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry

The petition, which was started by footballer Marcus Rashford MBE and has more than 1,113,000 signatures, states: “Government should support vulnerable children & #endchildfoodpoverty by implementing 3 recommendations from the National Food Strategy to expand access to Free School Meals, provide meals & activities during holidays to stop holiday hunger & increase the value of and expand the Healthy Start scheme.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “We thank Marcus Rashford for highlighting the challenges facing families. On 8th November, the Government announced a comprehensive support package to help families through winter and beyond.”

In January, Chair of the Petitions Committee, Catherine McKinnell MP, discussed the petition with Marcus Rashford MBE. This followed a letter, sent to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, calling on the Government to set out its plans to tackle child food poverty in the UK.

Following this, the Committee took evidence on child food poverty in the UK and how to build on the Government’s winter support package for vulnerable families, announced in November 2020. During the session, the Committee heard from a range of experts including representatives from FareShare, The Trussell Trust, The Children’s Society, and The Food Foundation.

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one, or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further Information

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

 Image: Peter Cade