Restaurants Fight Back Against Boris

Restaurants in Milton Keynes are giving out free meals throughout half term for children who are usually entitled to free school dinners after the Conservative government vote no to Marcus Rashford’s free school meal campaign.

The Grumpy Cook, Prezzo and Nonnas are a few that have stepped up to feed children for free during the half term period. Parents with children who are eligible for free school meals can collect a free meal from a handful of restaurants across Mk with proof of eligibility or in some cases ‘no questions asked’. This comes after Marcus Rashford’s Free School Meals campaign, motioned by Labour, was voted against by the conservatives by 322 votes to 261. Rashford’s campaign was due to help families who suffer to feed their families during lockdown, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 areas.

Speaking to the owner of The Grumpy Cook, Barry Ashley, he explains why he felt the need to step in during the holidays ‘ I decided to do it because of the government voting not to provide the vouchers during school holidays. To vote to allow children to go hungry is fundamentally wrong.’ The Grumpy Cook is offering a free packed lunch for any child who is eligible for free school meals and lives in Milton Keynes throughout this week from 9:00 am.

Many were deeply saddened and disappointed by the outcome of the vote. 4.5 million children live in poverty in the UK, and the latest data put out on the GOV.UK website shows that the number of pupils eligible for free school meals has increased from 15.8% to 17.7%. Without the free school meals being extended over the holidays, many families will struggle to feed their children.

Heres some other restaurants offering a free meal for children throughout the holidays:

• Prezzo Kingston Milton Keynes offering a free pasta box between 11:30am and noon up until Friday.
• Nonnas Woburn Sands offering one main meal and side, fruit, yoghurt and drink for those eligible for free school meals. Check out their facebook for details on how to preorder!
• Hungry Horse Sixfields Northampton offering two hot meals, dessert and drink free of charge for anyone in need, “no strings, no judgments”.