Responding to the news on Twitter, the 22-year-old called on MPs to put aside party politics and stressed “a significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter”.
The recommendations from the Taskforce are “endorsing Government-commissioned policy recommendations that were built from extensive research and data analysis” he added, and “vital to stabilising millions of households across the UK”.
“These children are the future of this country,” Rashford continued. “They are not just another statistic. And for as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine. You have my word on that.”
The Big Issue has approached Number 10 to comment on Rashford’s invitation.
Rashford’s statement in full:
“Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let’s focus on the reality.
“A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today.
“We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers. Our views are being clouded by political affiliation. This is not about politics, this is humanity. We talk about the devastating impact of Covid-19 but, if projections are anything to go by, child food poverty has the potential to become the greatest pandemic the country has ever faced.
“We must start working together and unite to protect our most vulnerable children. No more sticking plasters. Let’s face this head on. Let’s level up once and for all.
“The asks of the Child Food Poverty Taskforce remain the same. We are endorsing Government-commissioned policy recommendations that were built from extensive research and data analysis.
“These policies are vital to stabilising millions of households across the UK and need to be implemented without delay. Child hunger should never be faced with looming deadlines.
“We need a long-term sustainable framework and thanks to the 300,000+ signatures, we will now be offered the opportunity to discuss this. Following private and public approaches, I once again invite Number 10 to sit around the table with the Taskforce so that, together, we can collaborate on how best to combat child food poverty in the UK. We are here to help, but we require guidance and insight from those in Number 10.
“I don’t have the education of a politician, many on Twitter have made that clear today, but I have a social education having lived through this and having spent time with families and children most affected. These children matter.
“These children are the future of this country, They are not just another statistic. And for as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine. You have my word on that.”
The Big Issue is fighting the housing and unemployment crisis through the Ride Out Recession Alliance, bringing together innovative ideas and experts to help keep people in work and in their homes during the recession.
Share your story or get in touch with what you think can be done to support those in need by emailing rora@bigissue.com.
