Marcus Rashford scores again as UK to ‘name and shame’ food parcel contractors

Football superstar Marcus Rashford is driving U.K. government policy yet again.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said Wednesday he was “absolutely disgusted” as photos of meager free school meal packages provided to low-income parents by a government contractor went viral.

The photos were boosted by Rashford, the Manchester United and England footballer who has spent the past year driving campaigns to extend the country’s provision of free school meals during the summer, and then the Christmas holidays.

With schools in England currently closed amid a third national coronavirus lockdown, food parcels are being sent to pupils who would normally qualify for free school meals.

But Rashford’s Twitter account, followed by some 4.1 million users, has spent the week highlighting a succession of photos from parents unhappy with what is being delivered — prompting an apology from one supplier, Chartwells.

Williamson told MPs on the education committee Wednesday: “When I saw that picture, I was absolutely disgusted.”

“As a dad myself, I just thought, how could a family in receipt of that really be expected to deliver five nutritious meals as is required? It’s just not acceptable.”

Williamson said it had been made “absolutely clear to Chartwells, and to the whole sector, that that sort of behavior is just not right.” He added: “It will not be tolerated. We will not live with that.” The provider said the photo “does not reflect the specification of one of our hampers.”

The education secretary, who has come under fire in recent weeks over the decision to reopen and then rapidly close England’s schools as a sanitary measure, said the Department for Education had set “clear standards” for providers to “deliver against.” If those paid to provide free school meals fell short, he said, “actions will have to be taken.”

And Williamson vowed: “We’ll support any school that needs to take action against any food contractor and absolutely we will name and shame any of those that are not delivering against the standards.”

The Department for Education’s standards, updated in 2015, say “it is important to provide a wide range of foods across the week.” They say variety “is key — whether it is different fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses or types of meat and fish,” a far cry from some of the images shared online.

The packages were dubbed “parsimonious” by committee chairman Rob Halfon, a Conservative MP, as he demanded action from Williamson’s department.

Seizing on the row this week, the opposition Labour Party wrote to Williamson to say “images circulating online suggest that your government has not learnt from the mistakes made during the first lockdown.”

After being caught flat-footed with Rashford’s previous campaigns, it appears Downing Street is taking no chances this time around.

“Just had a good conversation with the Prime Minister,” the footballer tweeted as the committee session continued. “He has assured me that he is committed to correcting the issue with the food hampers and that a full review of the supply chain is taking place. He agrees that images of hampers being shared on Twitter are unacceptable.”