MARCUS Rashford today denied that he’d been in touch with Boris Johnson again over free school meals – after Matt Hancock suggested the pair had had contact.
Health Secretary Mr Hancock said he understood Prime Minister Boris Johnson had responded to a letter from free school meals campaigner Marcus Rashford amid uproar across the country about last week’s vote.
MPs voted down a Labour opposition day motion to force ministers to extend the free school meals policy during the winter school holidays too.
But the Government insisted it was giving cash to councils to fund the meals instead.
Footie star Rashford has led a huge campaign to try and get more help for hungry kids.
And after the motion was voted down he took to Twitter to share inspirational businesses who were providing free meals to kids this half term.
Mr Hancock said today the PM had been in contact with Rashford.
He told BBC Breakfast: “There has been communication between the two, as far as I understand it.
“We have all seen what Marcus Rashford has done, and the way he has conducted himself in this campaign I think is absolutely exemplary.
“He is making an argument based on his personal experience for the benefit of people who really need that support.”
Pressed on the response from Number 10, Mr Hancock added: “I’m not in charge of the Prime Minister’s correspondence – if there hasn’t been, I’m sure that that will be followed up.”
But Mr Rashford said on Twitter: “Hmm, unless he’s referring to the call we had following the u-turn in June?”
The pair spoke on the phone earlier this year when the PM decided to fund the free school meals throughout the summer break.
Now the Government are saying because schools are back open and running, that there isn’t a need for the vouchers scheme as councils are providing help for families who need it.
But there are suggestions a u-turn could be on the cards
Since last week’s vote there’s been a furious reaction from the public, who have demanded the PM thinks again on providing the help for kids.
And now Tory MPs are coming out to demand a rethink too.
Former minister Tobias Ellwood said today: “Boris Johnson should talk to Marcus Rashford, have that discussion, lets have a plan, get it in for the Christmas period in time to support our children.”
Hailing the “phenomenal” campaign by the England striker, Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis indicated yesterday that reforms may be worked out for the festive period.
The Northern Ireland Secretary said: “What we are looking to do is put in place the structure that means even in the school holidays children can get access to the food they need.”
And he suggested ministers are studying how “people who need that extra support, very targeted and very directly, can get that support” from local councils.
The Times also reported that the PM would look to increase funding for the poorest families during the Christmas holidays.
The hints of a rowback came as Sir Bernard Jenkin, a Vote Leave sidekick of the Prime Minister, blasted No 10’s handling of the dispute, saying: “I think we have to admit that we have misunderstood the mood of the country here.”
And he added: “I think the Government will probably have to think again.”
Labour vowed to put the issue to another vote before Christmas.
In a further blow to No 10, children’s commissioner Anne Longfield accused Mr Johnson of treating the poorest children like Oliver Twist, adding she had been “horrified and really disappointed” by last week’s vote.
