12Oct 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
It is time to extend free school meals to all primary age children

It is time to extend free school meals to all primary age children

Borough news, Parliamentary news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat councillors have backed a campaign calling for free school meals to be extended to all primary school children. The National Education Union has said that child hunger is an ‘epidemic’ in schools and has published an open letter to the prime minister which says that currently millions of children miss out on a free school meal, with some as young as seven. Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Oldham councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Free school meal provision is one of the most effective policies when it comes to tackling child hunger and poverty as well as raising educational achievement. It’s about a fair start in life and peace of mind for struggling families who know their children will be able to focus in class after a…
Read More
16Sep 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Nadhim Zahawi slammed for misleading free school meal comments

Nadhim Zahawi slammed for misleading free school meal comments

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have slammed the new Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi for misleading comments made on BBC Radio 4 last year about free school meals. In October 2020, the minister claimed research showed families didn’t like meals being labelled as free and preferred “to pay a modest amount, £1 or £2”. However, when asked to provide the research referred to by the former children’s minister, who also repeated the claim on Times Radio, the Department for Education said it was not aware of any that backed up his comments Commenting on the appointment of Nadhim Zahawi, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Gavin Williamson was the most incompetent Education Secretary in living memory, but with children having missed millions of school days, their futures hang in the balance.…
Read More
03Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats back Union’s ‘No child should be hungry’ appeal

Borough news
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Councillors are backing a union appeal to Boris Johnson urging the Prime Minister to ensure that ‘No child should be hungry’. The National Education Union, which represents teaching staff, has called on councillors from all political parties, and none, to endorse a collective letter to the PM asking for immediate action. Liberal Democrat Councillors in Oldham have long been campaigning for the extension of free school meals to all children in need. They recently brought a motion to the November 2020 meeting of Oldham Council supporting the excellent work being done by footballer Marcus Rashford and calling on the government to provide free school meals to the children of all families in receipt of Universal Credit. The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group,…
Read More
14Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Lib Dems call for a ‘no ifs no buts’ commitment to free school meals

Parliamentary news
In response to the news that schools will not be providing free meals during February half term, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education Daisy Cooper, said: “This is the second time this week that hungry children have been let-down: first it was the shocking photos of free school meal packs, and now there is more confusion over how children will access a meal during February half term, which will leave parents despairing. "After so much public outcry over free school meals, people won’t understand why struggling families are still having to fight the government for their kids to have just one decent meal a day. "The Government must do the right thing and make a 'no ifs no buts' commitment: whether a child is in school or at home, or whether…
Read More
12Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Parents must be given vouchers instead of ‘woefully inadequate’ food parcels

Parents must be given vouchers instead of ‘woefully inadequate’ food parcels

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called for parents to be given vouchers after pictures of 'woefully inadequate' food parcels were shared on social media. Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Education, Daisy Cooper, has written to the Secretary of State for Education to urge him to investigate. Daisy Cooper said: “It is completely unacceptable that parents have received woefully inadequate food parcels in place of free school meals. "The amount of food parents have received to feed their children is not anything like enough to provide an adequate, nutritious lunch every day. Nor do they appear to represent value for money, given what the parcels should theoretically be worth. "I have written to the Secretary of State asking him to investigate the situation urgently and replace these abysmal hampers with food vouchers. "Time…
Read More
18Nov 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrats welcome Conservative climbdown on school meals scandal

Borough news, Parliamentary news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats have welcomed Boris Johnson’s recent climbdown over the provision of school meals to the children of England’s poorest families. The Conservative Government has pledged £396 million of targeted support for 1.7 million children over the Christmas, Easter and Summer school holidays. The Prime Minister conveyed the good news in a telephone call on Saturday with campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford OBE. The Liberal Democrats brought a motion to the last meeting of the Oldham Council (4 November) in support of Marcus Rashford's campaign to tackle holiday hunger and child poverty in England. On hearing the welcome announcement, Saddleworth North Councillor Garth Harkness, who proposed the motion, said: “We congratulate Marcus Rashford on his successful campaign to turn around government policy on this issue. Only days before, Tory…
Read More
26Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

PM’s claim “does not ring true” given Government stance on free school meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Prime Minister's claim that the Conservative Government will "do everything in our power to make sure no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays", Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Boris Johnson's claim does not ring true given his hard-hearted refusal to u-turn on free school meals. "The idea that other measures will make up for the lack of provision just won't wash - people know the real struggles that families are enduring. That is why so many communities and businesses have stepped in to provide support while this callous Government stands by. "The Liberal Democrats want to see a firm commitment from the Conservatives not only to extending free school meals through holiday periods, but also expanding eligibility to ensure any child from…
Read More
25Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Tories must “wake up to reality” and do the right thing on Free School Meals

Parliamentary news
Responding to comments from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, speaking on today's Andrew Marr show, suggesting that the Government will not change its position on Free School Meals, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Tory Ministers must stop defending the indefensible on free school meals. We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, and the Conservatives have chosen to cut off a lifeline for the poorest children in the country. "Communities and businesses who have stepped up where the Government has failed shows where the true heart of this nation lies. The Conservatives must wake up to reality and do the right thing. "The Liberal Democrats will keep calling for the Conservatives to do the right thing to ensure vulnerable children do not go hungry…
Read More
29Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes summer offer from Company Shop

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has given a warm welcome to a recent announcement from Company Shop that families in receipt of free school meal vouchers can receive a £15 weekly top-up voucher and also take advantage of the discount prices they offer over summer, but he advises they act quickly to get in before the deadline. Councillor Sykes said:  “Company Shop sells a wide range of surplus grocery and household products to its members at discounted prices.  It does this by working in collaboration with manufacturers and retailers from the industry.  This benefits members with stretched personal budgets to provide for their families and it ensures that perfectly good food and household items do not end…
Read More
02Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Moran: Extend free school meal vouchers over the Easter holidays

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government to ensure children on free school meals will continue to receive vouchers over the Easter holidays.  The call follows confirmation from the Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, that children in Wales will also be offered free school meals during the break. Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Pupils on free school meals are some of the most vulnerable in our society and often rely on schools to provide their meals. With families struggling at this difficult time there is a real concern these children could go hungry.  "I want to thank my colleague Kirsty Williams for leading the way on this in Wales. The UK Government must now urgently follow suit and ensure money is available for this to…
Read More