Following a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford MBE and a Commons vote on Free School Meals, the Government has put more money into support for food and bills during Covid-19.

Last month, Neil signed a cross-party letter to the Education Secretary, called on the Government to extend Free School Meals and abstained with over 30 colleagues on a key Commons vote. Now, the Government have announced a new winter grant scheme, to be run by councils, that will provide support with food and bills, and the holiday food and activities programme is to be expanded. 

From the package of support, a £170m ring-fenced fund will be distributed through councils, with at least 80% earmarked for help with food and bills. This will receive funding from the beginning of December until the end of March.

The holiday food and activities programme will be expanded with a £220m investment to cover Easter, summer and Christmas in 2021.

On top of that, there will be a £16m cash boost for the nation's food banks. This follows the EFRA Select Committee report on Covid-19 and the food supply, which recommended the £16m fund be extended. Neil also called on the Government to make changes last week in a Westminster Hall debate, which you can watch here.