Marcus Rashford has slammed the “unacceptable” £30 free school meal packages after several images went viral on social media yesterday.
The Manchester United and England star has branded the free school meal packages being sent to some children learning from home as “not good enough” as the parcels – which have been sent to families who would normally qualify for free school meals and are now learning remotely during the national lockdown – have been criticised online by parents.
Several posts documenting the food provisions have garnered widespread attention on Twitter.
One tweet showed a package – supposedly containing £30 worth of food to last for 10 days – comprising of just a loaf of bread, some cheese, a tin of beans, two carrots, two bananas, three apples, two potatoes, a bag of pasta, three Frubes, two Soreen bars and a tomato.
When priced up by the mother herself according to ASDA prices, she found the contents of the package to be £5.22 in total.
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“The private company who have the #FSM contract made good profit here.” she added in a follow-up tweet.
In response to another post – which showed similar food provisions provided to another family – the Wythenshawe-born striker and anti-poverty campaigner tweeted: “3 days of food for 1 family… Just not good enough”, and in a later tweet, he added: “Then imagine we expect the children to engage in learning from home.
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“Not to mention the parents who, at times, have to teach them who probably haven’t eaten at all so their children can…
“We MUST do better. This is 2021.”
Then imagine we expect the children to engage in learning from home. Not to mention the parents who, at times, have to teach them who probably haven’t eaten at all so their children can…
Another tweet showcasing an image of £30 worth of food side-by-side to the food parcel – believed to have been provided by food service company Chartwells – has also contributed to the wider conversation, amassing over 70K interactions and comments.
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Chartwells has thus issued a response to the tweets.
The increasing debate generated around the subject has also seen a response come from the Department of Education, who confirmed they are “looking into this”.
#FreeSchoolMeals On the left £30 of food. On the right what private company Chartwells have supplied having been awarded a government contract to supply for £30 free school meals.
Utterly shameful profiteering off some of the country's most disadvantaged kids! pic.twitter.com/XcmUm8qM1h
We have clear guidelines and standards for food parcels, which we expect to be followed. Parcels should be nutritious and contain a varied range of food.https://t.co/ZBdJZqxdfKhttps://t.co/9sfxHPX9RJ
The Department for Education said it was also investigating the matter following Rashford’s tweets, adding: “We have clear guidelines and standards for food parcels, which we expect to be followed. Parcels should be nutritious and contain a varied range of food.”
As it stands, the government guidelines for providing free school meals urge schools to work with their catering teams or food provider to provide parcels to eligible pupils who are learning from home.
The guidelines state that the packages should contain food items – as opposed to pre-prepared meals – so parents can make healthy lunches for their children, and it adds that the hampers should not rely on parents having additional ingredients at home and should cater for pupils of all diets.
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Sir Keir Starmer has also responded describing the situation as “a disgrace”.
The Labour leader tweeted: “The images appearing online of woefully inadequate free school meal parcels are a disgrace. Where is the money going?
“This needs sorting immediately so families don’t go hungry through lockdown.”
The images appearing online of woefully inadequate free school meal parcels are a disgrace.
Where is the money going?
This needs sorting immediately so families don’t go hungry through lockdown.
The footballer forced the government into a U-turn in June over the provision of free school meals for children during the summer holidays, and it followed a relentless social media campaign, which helped earn him a number of prestigious accolades – including and MBE – last year.
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He forced the government’s hand once again in the autumn on expanding the free school meals programme through subsequent school holidays after his second plea was initially turned down, and the package included a £170 million COVID winter grant scheme to support vulnerable families in England and an extension of the holiday activities and food programme to the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks this year.
But as Rashford says himself, the fight still isn’t over, and he will continue to “aim for an equal playing field for all in 2021”.
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A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford, as police hunt ‘answers’
Daisy Jackson
Floral tributes have begun to pile up outside the Salford park where the remains of a baby were found earlier this week.
The child, who is being called Baby A, was discovered near Ashtons Field on Wednesday 20 November.
Their identity is not yet known, and police are trying to determine ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
In an update shared last night, GMP said their investigation was continuing and the force will do ‘everything we can to get answers’.
They also shared images of cuddly toys, flowers and letters that have been left at the snowy scene by officers and by the local community.
In the latest update, GMP said: “Our investigation continues after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Little Hulton yesterday.
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are with Baby A, and we will do everything we can to get answers.
“We would like to thank the community for their tributes to Baby A and their support and compassion at this time. We are truly grateful.”
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford. Credit: GMP
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood said: “Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Emily Sergeant -
12th January 2021 
