The Chief Executive of The Children’s Food Trust, Linda Cregan, has commented on the news that the pledge to scrap universal free school meals has not been included in the Queen’s speech.
Cregan said, 'We have been working tirelessly with our partners to oppose the pledge, so to everybody who retweeted, shared, signed a petition, however they might have helped, we thank them all.
“We must not, and we will not rest on our laurels. Until it is shown the commitment it deserves, and not kicked around like a political football, we will continue to highlight the right of children to good food and the irreplaceable role universal infant free school meals plays in fulfilling that right.'
She continued, “We remain committed to our mission to get every child eating well at home, in childcare, at school, on the high street and beyond. We now have a fantastic opportunity, at the start of a new Government, to look ahead at how we might tackle the challenges ahead of us.
“Our focus remains on child nutrition. No child should have to go hungry and all children have the right to healthy food, giving them the best possible start in life.'
Cregan added, “We need the Government to commit to and invest in long term solutions and recognise that children have a right to eat well. Getting all children eating healthier food is a realistic and achievable aim but we need to change the environment in which children are growing up.
“We look forward to working with the new Government and all political parties to help get every child eating well.”