Free School Meals Protest Held In Market Harborough

A protest took place in Market Harborough on Saturday against the government’s controversial decision not to provide free school meals for youngsters who need them during school holidays.

Around 30 campaigners gathered outside the Old Grammar School, before they delivered a letter demanding a re-think to the constituency office of Harborough Conservative MP Neil O’Brien, who was one of the MPs who voted not to extend the scheme.

The protest was organised by the Harborough Labour Party, with members of the local Liberal Democrats and Green party supporting it.

Free school meals demonstrators gather under the old grammar school on Saturday.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

Violet Woodiwiss 7 and Willow Woodiwiss 9 during the free school meals demonstration under the old grammar school on Saturday.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

The free school meals demonstration gather under the old grammar school on Saturday.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

The free school meals demonstration set off to Neil O’Brien’s office on Nelson Street.
PIC: ANDY CARPENTER

Free school meals demonstration messages are left outside Neil O’Brien’s office on Saturday.
PICTURE: ANDY CARPENTER

Commenting on the government’s decision not to extend free school meals during school holidays, Harborough MP Neil O’Brien said: “Everyone wants to help poorer families with children. At the start of the virus epidemic the government increased benefits by an extra £20 a week or £1,000 a year across the board, and that will go to all those families who are eligible for free school meals every week, whether we are in term time or outside it. The government has also given additional funding on top of that to local councils to support those families in the most hardship.”

“But I recognise that for some families even more is needed and a more permanent solution for the families with deeper problems who struggle outside term time, and I’m glad to see the government are now working that up in time for the Christmas holidays. There is also a question about families who don’t get free school meals but are struggling at the moment and how we can help them too.

“The government here is spending far more than the governments in Germany or France or America helping protect families’ incomes and jobs through this crisis. The furlough and income support schemes have helped 18,300 people in the Harborough constituency alone, while £50 million of loans and £20 million of grants have been given to local businesses to save jobs here. The government is also spending £2 billion on the Kickstarter scheme to create job opportunities for young people which will help people here.

“Nobody disagrees with helping families with children – the question is what the best way of doing it is, and I am glad to see government working on this urgently.”

Leicestershire County Council is to provide free school meals during holidays for the rest of the academic year, for eligible children across the county.