The Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of
being "callous and heartless" for spending £120m on a Festival
For Brexit, when the same amount of money could be spent on
extending free school meals over the summer.
Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, , made the intervention ahead of
an opposition debate today on calls to extend free school
meals during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Government recently confirmed that the Festival for Brexit
will be going ahead in 2022, with £120 million of taxpayers'
money earmarked for the event. This is the exact same amount it
would cost to extend free school meals to all eligible pupils
over the six-week summer holiday.
Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson said:
"Leaving children hungry while ploughing millions into Brexit
propaganda is callous and heartless. This appalling waste of
money shows where the government's priorities lie.
"It's not rocket science. If the government can spend £120
million on a Brexit 'festival', they could easily spend the same
on ensuring the most disadvantaged children have enough to eat
over the summer holidays.
"It is about time that the Education Secretary went to the
training ground with Marcus Rashford to take some lessons on how
best to support the most vulnerable pupils."
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
The Government has announced £120 million
of public funding for the 2022 Brexit Festival. A DCMS
spokesperson confirmed on 13 May
2020 that the event is still going ahead.
Based on 100 per cent take-up of the scheme by the 1.3 million
pupils eligible for free meals, extending it over the six-week
break would cost around £120 million (Schools
Week).
