Luke Pollard MP Labour & Co-op Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport
Last week, Luke visited St Aubyn’s Church, one of many local churches stepping in to provide struggling families with food parcels. Luke spoke with volunteers at the church about how they organise and distribute food parcels. The work of volunteers in providing food parcels over the school holidays is admirable. However, we should not have to rely on volunteers to feed Britain’s children.
Many families have seen their incomes slashed over the pandemic and are facing mounting insecurity. Children don’t stop needing balanced, nutritious meals over the school holidays, yet the Conservative Government tries to wash its hands of this problem every time schools break up. We want our children to grow up healthily and happily. For that to happen, measures must be put in place that ensure they are able to eat a healthy, plentiful diet throughout their childhood.
Thankfully, though, whilst the Conservatives might be failing to look after children over the half-term, the Plymouth local community is not.
Luke said:
‘Despite Marcus Rashford’s fantastic campaign and the Government’s embarrassing U-turn on the issue just weeks ago, there is still no plan from the Conservatives to provide food for children on free school meals over half-term. This is unacceptable. It is really important that every child has the option of eating three nutritious meals every day. It is amazing to see what the church is providing and the support it is giving to families. The Government must stop neglecting this issue and start providing families with the support they need to lead healthy lives.’