The UK government on Sunday promised to provide free meals to poorer children over and beyond the Christmas holiday season in a year marred by the coronavirus pandemic. The UK government’s decision comes following football sensation Marcus Rashford’s vocal campaign for free school meals to combat child hunger amid coronavirus induced lockdowns.

The government did a complete U-turn on Sunday for a second time deciding to extend the scheme of providing food to poor children over the festive season. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called up the Manchester United striker to brief him over his new spending commitment. 

New funds worth $ 225 million will now pay for a winter grant scheme to support families over Christmas breaks in 2021, as per an announcement of Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey.

Coffey stated, “We want to make sure vulnerable people feel cared for throughout this difficult time and, above all, no one should go hungry or be unable to pay their bills this winter.”

Earlier in the year, the UK government was forced to provide free meals for poorer children when the first wave of coronavirus infections ravaged the country, amid public backlash, and Rashford’s campaign of providing free food.

The 23-year-old England striker received the call following Manchester United’s 3-1 over Everton.

Following the conversation, Rashford issued a statement saying, “I had a good conversation with the prime minister to better understand the proposed plan, and I very much welcome the steps that have been taken to combat child food poverty in the UK.”

Also Read: Footballer Marcus Rashford honoured by Queen Elizabeth II for food campaign amid pandemic

The footballer also took to Twitter to inform fans about the success of the campaign, thanking them for their support. He tweeted, “To the campaigners, charity workers, volunteers, teachers, care workers, key workers, that have fought for this level of progress for years, thank you. This is YOUR victory. Never underestimate the role you have all played. I’m just honoured to be on this journey with you.”

The Manchester United ace striker who grew up impoverished also stated that he was ecstatic and proud as numerous people had united behind his campaign on social media. He added that he would “fight for the rest of my life” to end child hunger in the country.

Rashford was recently felicitated by Queen Elizabeth II over his contribution to end child hunger and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

A vocal campaigner for ending child food poverty, Rashford has used his status as a footballer to talk on the critical issue of poverty and child hunger.

Several reports by the World Health Organization and UNICEF have already stated that the coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of people into poverty and the situation in England is no different. Reports by AFP state that economic fallout of the virus outbreak had pushed more British families into poverty, leaving them incapacitated to avail basic amenities like food and heating.

In Britain, poorer children are guaranteed free meals during school term-time but not on holidays. Once the novel coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China spread across the world affecting all sectors of the country including schools, the British government decided to implement strict lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. The government had then decided against providing meal vouchers, preferring to offer support via wider benefits, but had to retract their decision following a backlash.