IAN Blackford has hit out at Boris Johnson for claiming he only became aware of the Marcus Rashford free school meals campaign today, despite commenting on it on yesterday.
Tory ministers have caved in to demands to reconsider plans not to extend a free school meal voucher scheme through the summer in England and Wales.
A campaign launched by footballer Marcus Rashford calling for the UK Government to act had attracted widespread support, including from several Tory MPs.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson makes school meals U-turn after Marcus Rashford campaign
Downing Street responded to the footballer's letter on Monday, saying the scheme will end when the school term ends.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The PM understands the issues facing families across the UK, which is why last week the government announced an additional £63m for local authorities to benefit families who are struggling to afford food and other basic essentials.”
Despite this, Johnson is saying he only became aware of the campaign today.
Blackford said this proves there is "no confidence or trust in the UK Government".
He added: Despite number 10 commenting on it yesterday...........and to think @BorisJohnson is our Prime Minister. There is no confidence or trust in the UK Government."
Despite number 10 commenting on it yesterday...........and to think @BorisJohnson is our Prime Minister. There is no confidence or trust in the UK Government. https://t.co/Z9kCtsiozh
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) June 16, 2020
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: Marcus Rashford: Labour take credit for school meal U-turn
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