Marcus Rashford has done more to expose child food poverty than any politician – The Yorkshire Post says

COMPARE and contrast footballer and social justice campaigner Marcus Rashford MBE’s fleet-footedness with Environment Secretary George Eustice’s latest Commons comments.
Graeme Bandeira's carton of Marcus Rashford.Graeme Bandeira's carton of Marcus Rashford.
Graeme Bandeira's carton of Marcus Rashford.

Just as the 22-year-old Manchester and England striker was launching a petition on Parliament’s website, in the hope of gaining 100,000 signatures to trigger a Commons debate on child food poverty, Mr Eustice was showing a distinct lack of urgency at the despatch box.

Listing a number of interventions during the lockdown, he went on to say that the Government will keep “under review” what further support it offers to those struggling to afford food due to Covid-19 financial difficulties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the plain fact is 490,000 children are, according to Mr Rashford, “sitting in class worried to death about not being able to access food during October half-term”.

Manchester united and England striker Marcus Rashford.Manchester united and England striker Marcus Rashford.
Manchester united and England striker Marcus Rashford.

Pointing out that “not having access to food is never the child’s fault”, Mr Rashford has our support for using his own childhood experiences, and status as a role model, to honour his inspirational mother and forge a fairer society for all. It should also be pointed out that he’s campaigning on a cross-party basis and the most vulnerable will not have access to wi-fi to support his petition.

And when MPs debate this, as they will, the Secretary of State will need to offer much more substantial answers available because, in just weeks, Mr Rashford has done more to highlight the scandal of child food poverty than any politician or public figure in decades. Now that’s food for thought ahead of Parliament’s very own match of the day.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

Environment Secretary George Eustice.Environment Secretary George Eustice.
Environment Secretary George Eustice.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.