BORIS Johnson has announced a U-turn on free school meals for English pupils.
Tory ministers have caved in to demands to reconsider plans not to extend a free school meal voucher scheme through the summer.
A campaign launched by footballer Marcus Rashford calling for the UK Government to act had attracted widespread support, including from several Tory MPs.
Rashford had penned an open letter this week asking the Government to reverse its decision not to award free school meals vouchers in England outside of term time.
Children in Scotland and Wales will continue to receive help from the scheme in August, but in England it was set to be replaced with a more general £63m fund for councils.
But the Prime Minister's official spokesman has now announced: "Owing to the coronavirus pandemic the Prime Minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer.
“To reflect this we will be providing a Covid Summer Food Fund. This will provide food vouchers covering the six-week holiday period.
"This is a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
"The scheme will not continue beyond the summer and those eligible will be those who already qualify for free school meals."
READ MORE: Free school meals extended in Scotland over the summer – here's what we know
It is understood payment will be through a one-off six week voucher given to eligible families at the end of term to use in supermarkets.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said the measure would impact some 1.3 million children in England.
Referring to Rashford, he said: "The PM welcomes his contribution to the debate around poverty and respects the fact that he has been using his profile as a leading sportsman to highlight important issues."
The cost will come to £120 million in additional funding, Downing Street said.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "This is another welcome U-turn from Boris Johnson.
"The thought of 1.3 million children going hungry this summer was unimaginable.
"Well done to @MarcusRashford and many others who spoke out so powerfully about this issue. #HolidaysWithoutHunger".
Downing Street said the vouchers would amount to £15 a week per child.
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