There is doubt over whether the cash-strapped Isle of Wight Council will back Marcus Rashford's free school meals campaign, despite assurances from the council leader.
In an exchange of emails seen by Isle of Wight Radio, the man in charge of Children's Services on the Island, Councillor Paul Brading said "perhaps obscenely paid footballers" should give up some of their salaries instead.
He said his budget is already "cut to the bone":
"I do understand the rationale why the Government voted against this in view of all the other support that is being given, but equally I m unsure which way would have voted if I was an MP.
"I respect Marcus Rashford’s view, and admire his drive and passion, but perhaps he and his fellow professionals could give up part of their obscene £200k+ a week salaries to help out?"
Given the current £8 million black hole in the council budget - caused by coronavirus - Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, who is leading the council's strategic finance, said a new policy would mean more pressure on the local authority's budget.
He said "with reluctance", he would not recommend council funding.
It comes after council leader Dave Stewart exclusively told Isle of Wight Radio that he would do what it takes to support children who rely on the service.
He said, "in the short term", the council has committed extra money to the ‘Help Through Crisis’ scheme.
It is estimated that providing meals over the school holidays could cost the council a additional expenditure of £130,000 in a full year.
Asked whether the council could afford it, Cllr Stewart said:
"If it's £100,000 we have to find. That's what we've got to find. What I'm saying is we will ensure a system and process is in place that people can access food...
"What I can say is that we do not want to see any child not getting food this Christmas. That was the simple message that I've given to my colleague Paul Brading and to others and I've had a lot of support already. I don't see if it's a problem if we all pull together."
According to figures, 18.2% of children in primary schools and 14.8% of secondary school children on the Island are currently claiming free school meals.
Richard Quigley
Last week, Isle of Wight MP voted against a motion to extend the food voucher scheme, as Isle of Wight Radio previously reported.
The former parliamentary candidate for Island Labour., Richard Quigley, said:
"After speaking to Cllr Stewart, I was encouraged that, despite our political differences, we agreed that children shouldn't go hungry. Now that I have read that council officers are briefing against the scheme due to the perceived costs, I realise the lack of backbone isn't just reserved for Bob Seely.
"Suggesting that footballer's should pay for the scheme, but not standing up to central government is truly pathetic. Theses aren't numbers on a spreadsheet, they are children. Children on our Island that we all have a duty to care for.
"The proposals from the council, to fund Help Through Crisis (HTC) are obviously welcome, but mean that people requiring help need to access a whole new system of doing so. HTC are already swamped with the amount of requests for help they receive and don’t currently have the resources to cope. Cllr Stewart agreed with me that using the existing system of food vouchers, would be the quickest and easiest way of doing so. It seems his fellow Cllrs have blown him off course, so I ask that he takes control and funds the existing system to reach those that have already been identified as need help. I have continue to offer my help and support to make it happen."
"The fact we are having this debate in 2020 should make everyone very angry."
72% of children in poverty on the Island are from a household with at least one working adult.
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