Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.
Latest Stories

Footballer Marcus Rashford launches taskforce tackling child food poverty

Hannah Hastings
By Hannah HastingsSep 01, 2020
Hannah Hastings
See Full Bio

Footballer Marcus Rashford has formed a taskforce today with some of the UK's largest food brands in a bid to tackle child food poverty.

Named the Child Food Poverty Task Force, the 22-year-old forward for Manchester United wants the emergency coronavirus holiday meals scheme applied across all school breaks.

So far, Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Deliveroo, FareShare, Food Foundation, Iceland, Kellogg's, Lidl, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose - have all backed proposals from Mr Rashford and the National Food Strategy.

Child Food Poverty Task Force currently operates in 17 local authorities across the nation who are also urging for Healthy Start food vouchers to increase from £3.10 to £4.25 a week.

In a joint open letter to parliament, an independent review of UK food policy is suggested, including expansion of free school meals to children from households on universal credit.

Should this be approved, an additional 1.5 million youngsters aged 16 and under will benefit from this change.

Mr Rashford successfully campaigned for free school meals to be extended over the summer holidays due to the impact of coronavirus, helping 1.3 million people.

The England football player revealed he was inspired to take action on the issue after using a similar food voucher scheme as a child.

"I feel like at times people think they are being looked down on if they ask for help, and I think in this generation... that is something that should change," he told the BBC.

"You should feel free if you want to ask for help...hold your head up high and, if you need help, go and get help.

"...we had to think about the best way to do it, to think about how these families can eat long term and not have issues. We wanted to do it the best way...introduce the best people into our group and see if using them (we) can push it even more.”

Another proposal included in the campaign is to expand holiday food and activities for all children on free school meals, helping an additional 1.1 million children

Mr Rashford said he is “confident” with the task force and hopes his letter to MPs and chancellor Rishi Sunak will review the Budget "without delay".

child food poverty task forcefood povertygovernmentmarcus rashfordnational food strategy

Related News

Sale sign in store window
Industry News

Retail sales take bigger-than-expected hit in October

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health
Editorial

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health

Freight crime cost over £680 million
Industry News

Freight crime cost over £680 million

More for you

​Illegal vapes

Illegal vapes seized in Swindon raids

Photo: Wiltshire Police

Five arrested after seizure of illegal vapes worth thousands of pounds in Swindon

Wiltshire Police have arrested five people and seized more than £55,000 worth of illicit vapes, tobacco and alcohol following a series of warrants in the Broadgreen area of Swindon.

In a joint operation HMRC and Trading Standards, officers executed four warrants in Manchester Road at three stores and a property on Tuesday as part of the force’s ongoing Clear Hold Build work within Broadgreen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less